Improving heart repair after a heart attack using specialized exosomes
Official title: Enhancing the translational potential of therapeutic exosomes for ischemic heart disease
Funded at VA Western New York Healthcare System · NIH-10951495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special tiny particles called exosomes can help heal the heart after a heart attack by delivering helpful materials to damaged heart cells, and it’s designed for people who have experienced heart damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Western New York Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Buffalo, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005998-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have recently suffered an acute myocardial infarction and are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic heart conditions unrelated to acute myocardial infarction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the healing process of the heart following an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) by using therapeutic exosomes. Exosomes are tiny vesicles that can deliver important biological materials to damaged heart cells, promoting their repair and regeneration. The study aims to optimize the cargo within these exosomes and improve their delivery to heart tissue, which could lead to better outcomes for patients suffering from heart damage. By using advanced techniques, the researchers hope to create exosomes that specifically target heart cells, thereby maximizing their effectiveness in reducing heart damage and improving heart function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve recovery and heart function for patients who have experienced a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using exosomes for cardiac repair, but this approach aims to refine and enhance their effectiveness, making it a novel advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Western New York Healthcare System
Buffalo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lang, Jennifer K — VA Western New York Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Lang, Jennifer K
Related research
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Exosome therapy to protect the heart after a heart attack
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A long-term trial will test whether using affordable indoor air purifiers reduces markers of blood vessel disease in older adults with a history of ischemic heart disease.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.