Investigating the role of extracellular miRNAs in immune response and heart injury during critical illnesses.
Official title: Extracellular miRNAs, innate immunity, and critical illness
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11026358 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at tiny molecules in your blood that might play a role in how your body reacts to serious health issues like sepsis and heart attacks, with the goal of finding out how they affect inflammation and heart function, so we can better understand and help patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $386,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM140822-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11026358 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients experiencing sepsis or myocardial infarction, particularly those with severe symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic, stable conditions or those not experiencing acute critical illnesses may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how certain small RNA molecules, known as miRNAs, influence the immune response and heart damage during severe conditions like sepsis and myocardial infarction. By analyzing blood samples from patients, the researchers aim to identify specific miRNAs that are released during these critical illnesses and how they contribute to inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. The study employs advanced techniques, including RNA sequencing and computational algorithms, to uncover the mechanisms by which these miRNAs activate the immune system and affect patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies that improve survival rates and reduce heart damage in patients suffering from sepsis and myocardial infarction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of miRNAs in immune responses, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chao, Wei — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Chao, Wei
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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.