Investigating how air pollution affects heart health using advanced cell models.
Official title: Modeling Cardiovascular Risks of Air Pollutants with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular-Associated Cells (Project 3) for the Air pollution disrupts Inflammasome Regulation in
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11086434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how air pollution, especially tiny particles in the air, affects heart health, using special lab-grown heart tissues to see how different people might react to these pollutants, with the goal of finding better ways to protect our hearts from air pollution.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,370 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL152953-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who are exposed to air pollution and may be at risk for cardiovascular issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any cardiovascular conditions or are not exposed to significant levels of air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the cardiovascular risks associated with air pollution, specifically particulate matter (PM2.5). By utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and creating three-dimensional engineered heart tissues (EHTs), the study aims to model how air pollutants impact heart cells. The research will explore the molecular mechanisms of damage caused by PM2.5 and how genetic differences among individuals may influence their responses to air pollution. Ultimately, this work seeks to develop new medical strategies to mitigate the cardiovascular effects of air pollution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that protect heart health from the harmful effects of air pollution.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using stem cell models to study environmental impacts on health, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liao, Ronglih — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Liao, Ronglih
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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.