Targeting immune cells that affect stroke recovery
Targeting monocyte derived macrophage for stroke treatment
This work tests whether blocking a molecule called Galectin‑3 in certain immune cells can reduce inflammation and help people recover better after ischemic stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11206935 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn about immune cells called monocyte‑derived macrophages that enter the brain after an ischemic stroke and can drive damaging inflammation. Researchers use mouse models and single‑cell gene analysis to compare how these cells behave by age and sex, and to identify high Galectin‑3 (Gal3) activity in harmful cells. They plan to lower or block Gal3 in those cells to see if that reduces brain injury and improves repair. The team also links these findings to patient blood levels of Gal3 to guide future human treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who recently had an ischemic (blood‑flow) stroke, including men and women across different ages.
Not a fit: People with hemorrhagic (bleeding) strokes or those long after their stroke are less likely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new anti‑inflammatory treatments that protect the brain and improve recovery after ischemic stroke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies show mixed roles for Galectin‑3 and human data link higher blood Gal3 to worse stroke outcomes, but directly targeting Gal3 as a therapy remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Xiaoming — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Hu, Xiaoming
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.