Neuregulin (ErbB3) signaling in immune cells that protect the heart
Official title: Neuregulin signaling in myeloid cells
Funded at Mainehealth · NIH-11324237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mainehealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2017 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $574,258 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL136560-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose heart problems are unrelated to immune-driven inflammation (such as purely structural congenital defects) are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Mainehealth
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryzhov, Sergey — Mainehealth
- Study coordinator: Ryzhov, Sergey
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.