Targeting scar-forming cells to help the heart heal after a heart attack
Fibroblast targeting for myocardial repair
This work looks at blocking a protein called FAP in scar-producing heart cells to help people recover better after a heart attack.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320741 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying scar-making fibroblast cells that appear in the heart after a heart attack and a protein they make called fibroblast activation protein (FAP). In mice, they switch off FAP in those cells after causing a heart attack to see if the heart remodels less and keeps pumping better. They are also testing ways to deliver FAP-targeting treatment specifically to the damaged area rather than the whole body. The goal is to create a new treatment approach that could help people avoid heart failure after myocardial infarction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have recently had a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and are at risk of adverse heart remodeling or developing heart failure are the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: People without a recent heart attack or whose heart failure has non-ischemic causes are less likely to benefit from a therapy focused on post-heart-attack fibroblast activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce harmful scarring, preserve heart function, and lower the chance of progressing to heart failure after a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: FAP-targeting has been explored in cancer and imaging, but using FAP-targeted therapy to prevent adverse heart remodeling after MI is largely novel and still at an early, preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spinale, Francis G — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Spinale, Francis G
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.