Pericardial mRNA Therapy to Help Hearts Recover After Heart Attacks
Official title: Pericardial mRNA therapy for myocardial infarction
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11391307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new drug given into the space around the heart aims to reduce inflammation after a heart attack and improve heart healing in people and in animal models that mirror human disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,842 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL181161-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of heart attack or who have recently experienced one and are eligible for pericardial delivery studies in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions where pericardial injection is not appropriate or who do not meet safety criteria may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating a safe anti-inflammatory drug delivered directly into the pericardial space to help the heart recover after a myocardial infarction. It builds on prior work with stem cell–derived products and tests a new therapy in mouse and pig models that resemble human heart injury. Treatments will be given soon after the heart attack, and researchers will monitor heart function and structure for weeks to assess potential benefits. If the results are favorable, this work could lay the groundwork for future human trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the therapy could reduce damaging inflammation after a heart attack and improve heart function, potentially leading to new treatments for patients who have had MI.
How similar studies have gone: Previous related work with stem cell derivatives has shown anti-inflammatory potential, but this specific pericardial delivery approach is in early preclinical stages.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Dashuai — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Dashuai
Related research
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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.