Nanoparticles to calm the spleen–heart immune response after a heart attack
Biomimetic nanomaterials for the immunomodulation of the cardiosplenic axis post-myocardial infarction
Tiny biomimetic particles aim to reduce harmful inflammation after a heart attack for people recovering from an MI.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101381 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing tiny biomimetic nanomaterials designed to interact with the immune cells that respond after a heart attack. They will use laboratory and animal models to deliver these particles and track how they change the behavior of monocytes and macrophages that move from the spleen to the heart. The team will measure inflammation, scarring, and heart repair over time and study how angiotensin II drives immune cell migration. The work tests whether changing the cardiosplenic immune response can improve healing and limit harmful remodeling after MI.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction and are in the early post-infarct healing phase would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without a recent heart attack or those with long-established chronic heart damage are unlikely to benefit from this acute-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower damaging inflammation, reduce scar formation, and improve heart healing after a myocardial infarction.
How similar studies have performed: Related nanoparticle-based immune-modulation approaches have shown promise in animal studies, but clinical translation in people is still limited and relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Menick, Donald R. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Menick, Donald R.
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.