Understanding how heart cells can grow back after injury
Mechanisms that Govern Cardiomyocyte Proliferation and Remuscularization following Ventricular Injury
This study is looking at how heart cells can grow back and heal after a heart attack, using baby pigs to find out how these cells can replace damaged tissue with healthy muscle, which could help develop better treatments for heart problems in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10897857 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms that allow heart muscle cells, known as cardiomyocytes, to proliferate and regenerate after a heart injury, specifically following a myocardial infarction. The study focuses on how these cells can re-enter the cell cycle and grow back to replace scar tissue with functional heart muscle. By using neonatal pig models, the researchers aim to uncover the biological processes that enable this regeneration, which could lead to new treatments for heart damage in humans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a myocardial infarction and are under 21 years old.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic heart conditions unrelated to myocardial infarction may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative therapies that restore heart function in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies in neonatal pigs have shown promising results in heart regeneration, indicating potential for success in similar approaches.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Jianyi — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Jianyi
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.