Investigating how sex differences affect heart tissue remodeling
Official title: Probing sex differences in myocardial fibrosis at multiple length scales using biomaterials
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10687446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being male or female affects heart health, specifically focusing on a condition called myocardial fibrosis that can lead to heart failure, and aims to find better treatments that work for both men and women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,422,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2HL173948-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10687446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing heart-related issues, particularly women with heart failure or those at risk of developing myocardial fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with heart conditions unrelated to myocardial fibrosis or those who do not identify as male or female may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore how biological sex influences the development of myocardial fibrosis, a condition that can lead to heart failure. By utilizing advanced biomaterial technologies, the study will create models that reflect sex-specific differences in heart tissue remodeling. The goal is to identify tailored therapeutic approaches that can effectively address the unique needs of male and female patients suffering from heart-related conditions. This research addresses a critical gap in understanding female-specific heart failure mechanisms, which have been historically overlooked.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, sex-specific treatments for heart failure and related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on sex differences in cardiovascular diseases, this approach using biomaterials to create sex-specific models is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguado, Brian Alberto — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Aguado, Brian Alberto
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Interface between immune cells and scarring in the eye
This grant looks at how immune cells influence scar formation in the cornea after injury and how this affects vision.
-
How often to treat schistosomiasis to protect the liver
A randomized trial will test different frequencies ofPraziquantel treatment to prevent liver damage in people aged 15–40 with schistosomiasis in Uganda.
-
Metabolic changes in cells that repair blood vessels in the eye lens to prevent scarring
A drug or approach that changes how certain cells that repair blood vessels in the eye work, to prevent scarring behind the retina in age-related macular degeneration patients treated with anti-VEGF therapy.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This project studies heart tissue changes in women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa who are on antiretroviral therapy, to understand why they’re at higher risk for heart problems as they age.
-
Myocardial fibrosis and fat in ART-treated women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
This grant studies heart tissue changes in women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to understand why heart failure risk is higher in this group.
-
Molecular clues to progressive lung scarring
Researchers are studying how lung tissue becomes progressively scarred, focusing on cell signals and receptors that may drive fibrosis in people with lung 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.