Understanding how a specific protein affects heart healing after a heart attack
Official title: The function of Runx1 in cardiac fibroblasts and post-myocardial infarction healing
Funded at Louisiana State Univ Agricultural Center · NIH-10980547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called Runx1 affects heart healing cells after a heart attack, with the goal of finding better ways to help your heart recover and avoid complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ Agricultural Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $371,168 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157519-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a myocardial infarction and are in the recovery phase.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a heart attack or have other unrelated cardiac conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the Runx1 protein in cardiac fibroblasts, which are cells that help heal the heart after a myocardial infarction (heart attack). After a heart attack, these fibroblasts become activated and can either help repair the heart or contribute to harmful scarring. The study aims to understand how Runx1 influences the behavior of these cells, particularly their growth and differentiation, to develop better treatments that enhance healing and reduce complications. By examining the mechanisms involved, the research seeks to find ways to improve heart recovery and function post-injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve heart healing and function after a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cardiac fibroblast behavior, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in heart disease treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ Agricultural Center
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fu, Xing — Louisiana State Univ Agricultural Center
- Study coordinator: Fu, Xing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Anti-inflammatory signaling of a key protein in heart attack recovery
A study in people who have had a heart attack is exploring how a macrophage protein called Tristetraprolin may reduce inflammation and help protect heart tissue.
-
Targeting RIPK3 to reduce heart damage after a heart attack
This grant studies a specific cell-death pathway (RIPK3) to protect the heart after a heart attack, with the goal of reducing damage and improving recovery.
-
mRNA lipid nanoparticles to help heart attack patients grow healthier blood vessels
A heart-attack study tests a new treatment that uses messenger RNA delivery with tiny fat bubbles to promote normal blood vessel growth in damaged heart tissue.
-
Targeted nanotherapy to calm inflammation, grow new blood vessels, and prevent scarring after a heart attack
A new treatment approach uses engineered secretions from immune cells delivered early after a heart attack to reduce inflammation, promote blood vessel growth, and limit scarring to protect heart function.
-
Why heart attacks and strokes affect people differently across places and races
This project follows adults across the U.S. to see how lifelong social and neighborhood factors shape heart attacks, heart failure, and recovery, with attention to Black adults and regions with high disease rates.
-
Real-time multi-lead ECG from wearables to help detect heart attacks early
A new AI-based approach uses everyday wearable sensors to turn simple PPG signals into multi-lead ECG data to monitor for heart attacks in real time, even outside the clinic.
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.