Nanoparticle therapy to reduce inflammation and scarring after a heart attack
Official title: Engineered nanoparticles to control inflammation and fibrosis after acute myocardial infarction
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11264911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Tiny engineered nanoparticles will deliver anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring substances to the heart soon after a heart attack to help people recover better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $527,568 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174055-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (a recent heart attack), particularly during the early acute phase, would be the intended candidates for this approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic heart damage long after their heart attack, those with severe other illnesses, or anyone not in the immediate post-heart-attack period are less likely to benefit from this acute-stage treatment.
What this research studies
If you have a recent heart attack, researchers plan to package the secretions from anti-inflammatory immune cells (M2 macrophages) into tiny nanoparticles and deliver them directly to the injured heart during the acute phase. The nanoparticles are designed to release their cargo in a specific place and time to shift inflammation toward healing and to block the cells that cause harmful scarring (myofibroblasts). The team aims to target multiple pathways that drive scarring, such as TGFβ and IL-1 signals, because single systemic drugs have had mixed results. Early work will focus on testing targeting, safety, and whether this approach preserves heart muscle and function as a step toward possible human use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce damaging inflammation and scar formation after a heart attack and help preserve heart function.
How similar studies have gone: Systemic anti-inflammatory drugs and TGFβ inhibitors have shown mixed or limited benefits, and delivering M2 macrophage secretions with engineered nanoparticles is a newer approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
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Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guan, Jianjun — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Guan, Jianjun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new treatment approach uses engineered secretions from immune cells delivered early after a heart attack to reduce inflammation, promote blood vessel growth, and limit scarring to protect heart function.
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Using engineered nanoparticles to reduce inflammation and scarring after heart attacks
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Using ultrasound images and AI to better describe and predict heart attacks
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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.