New immune-based inhibitors to modulate T cells in chronic heart failure
Official title: Novel Inhibitors for Temporal Modulation of T-Lymphocytes during Chronic Heart Failure
Funded at Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · NIH-11395367 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a study exploring how immune cells, especially CD4+ T-cells, influence heart healing and worsening of heart failure after a heart attack, with the goal of finding targeted ways to improve heart function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $578,432 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167912-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395367 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with a history of myocardial infarction or chronic heart failure who may benefit from therapies that modulate immune cell activity in the heart.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without inflammatory or immune-related contributions to their heart failure may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This research looks at how the immune system’s T-cells behave after a heart attack and during chronic heart failure, and whether specific inhibitors can calm harmful immune activity. The team plans to test new molecules that may selectively dampen problematic T-cell signals to reduce scar formation and improve heart function. By understanding when and how these cells contribute to heart damage, they seek targeted therapies that could help people who have had a heart attack and developed chronic heart failure. The work involves experiments in models that mimic human disease to identify promising targets for future trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that limit heart damage and improve heart function after a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest immune cells play a meaningful role in heart healing and remodeling, supporting the potential of targeted immune modulation.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
Hershey, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bansal, Shyam Sunder — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Bansal, Shyam Sunder
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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.