Improving heart repair using specialized cell secretions
Official title: Maximizing Therapeutic Accumulation and Retention for Enhanced Cardiac Repair
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11056812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help deliver tiny particles from stem cells to the heart after a heart attack, which could make it easier for patients to recover and improve heart function without needing invasive treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,558 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174038-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a myocardial infarction and are at risk of developing heart failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-ischemic heart conditions or those who have not experienced a heart attack may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the delivery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the heart after a heart attack. The goal is to overcome challenges related to the rapid diffusion and short retention of these therapeutic agents in the heart tissue. By developing a novel delivery strategy, the research aims to improve the accumulation of EVs in the damaged heart, potentially leading to better cardiac repair and function. Patients may benefit from a less invasive treatment option that could enhance recovery after myocardial infarction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved heart repair and function for patients recovering from heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using extracellular vesicles for cardiac repair, but this approach aims to address significant delivery challenges that have not yet been overcome.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Juliane — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Juliane
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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.