Investigating how specific heart cells can be targeted to reduce heart tissue scarring
Targeting Resident Cardiac Fibroblast Subpopulations for Protection Against Fibrosis
This study is looking at how certain heart cells react to high blood pressure and cause scarring in the heart, and it’s testing a treatment that might help these cells become healthier, which could lead to better ways to prevent or reduce heart problems for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10992640 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain types of cardiac fibroblasts, which are cells in the heart, respond to high blood pressure and contribute to heart tissue scarring, known as fibrosis. The researchers will use a treatment that inhibits a specific enzyme to see how it affects these fibroblast populations and their ability to produce scar tissue. By analyzing these cells at a single-cell level, the study aims to identify mechanisms that could help reprogram these cells to a healthier state, potentially leading to new treatments for heart conditions. Patients may benefit from insights gained about how to prevent or reduce heart fibrosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with hypertension or those at risk of developing cardiac fibrosis.
Not a fit: Patients without hypertension or existing cardiac conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing heart tissue scarring in patients with high blood pressure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting cardiac fibroblast populations, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hale, Taben M. — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Hale, Taben M.
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 below.