Neuregulin (ErbB3) signaling in immune cells that protect the heart

Neuregulin signaling in myeloid cells

NIH-funded research Mainehealth · NIH-11324237

This work looks at how a protein called ErbB3 in certain immune cells helps calm inflammation and protect the heart after injury.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMainehealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Portland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11324237 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers use mouse models where ErbB3 is removed or increased specifically in myeloid immune cells to see how that changes PD-L1 levels and T cell activity in heart tissue. They trigger inflammation with LPS and cause ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury to model heart damage, then measure immune responses and heart function. The team examines macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocyte subsets to find which cells drive protective signaling. Findings will link molecular signaling in immune cells to whether the heart is protected or damaged after inflammatory or ischemic insults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have experienced heart inflammation, myocarditis, or ischemia-reperfusion injury (for example after a heart attack) would be the most relevant patient group for future applications.

Not a fit: Patients whose heart problems are unrelated to immune-driven inflammation (such as purely structural congenital defects) are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost protective immune signals and reduce immune-driven heart damage after infections or heart attacks.

How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies support a role for the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in limiting heart inflammation, but targeting ErbB3 in myeloid cells is a newer, mainly preclinical approach that is still being tested in mice.

Where this research is happening

Portland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.