Understanding how certain immune cells affect heart transplant rejection
Official title: Dissecting the Role of Donor CCR2- Macrophages During Acute Cellular Rejection After Heart Transplantation
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11077317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called CCR2- macrophages affect heart transplant rejection, with the hope of finding better ways to help heart transplant patients do well without relying too much on strong medications that can have side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $151,457 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HL159359-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have undergone heart transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not heart transplant recipients or those with contraindications for transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific immune cells, particularly CCR2- macrophages, in the process of heart transplant rejection. By examining how these cells interact with other immune populations, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that could improve transplant outcomes. The approach involves both laboratory experiments and analysis of immune responses in heart transplant patients. The goal is to develop new strategies that could enhance the success of heart transplants and reduce the need for harmful immunosuppressive therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved heart transplant outcomes and reduced complications for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell roles in transplant rejection, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kopecky, Benjamin J — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Kopecky, Benjamin J
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Predicting Heart Transplant Rejection Risk Before Surgery
This research aims to find ways to predict which heart transplant patients might reject their new heart, helping doctors tailor their medication plans.
-
Identifying risks of heart transplant rejection before surgery
This study is looking to help heart transplant patients by finding out who is less likely to reject their new heart before the surgery, so they can take fewer medications that might cause side effects and enjoy better long-term health.
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Injecting immune-boosting medicine into melanoma tumors to help the immune system reject them
This gives an immune-boosting drug directly into melanoma tumors in pet dogs to help their T cells find and destroy the cancer.
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Targeted immune treatments to protect donated hearts
This project develops ways to send immune-suppressing medicines directly to the lymph nodes and the transplanted heart to help people with heart transplants avoid rejection while reducing side effects.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
-
Targeting graft T cells to reduce transplant rejection
A patient-facing study exploring how immune cells within transplanted organs drive rejection and how we might reduce trouble for people who need organ transplants.
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.