Understanding how IL-33 helps protect heart transplants
Official title: Immunoregulatory Mechanisms of IL-33 in Heart Transplantation
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10880447 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called IL-33 can help reduce inflammation and support healing in kids who have received heart transplants, by understanding how it affects the immune system's response to the new heart.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $598,488 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL122489-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-10880447 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients undergoing heart transplantation or those who have received a heart transplant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing heart transplantation or who have other unrelated medical conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Interleukin-33 (IL-33) in heart transplantation, focusing on how it can limit inflammation and promote tissue repair after a transplant. By studying samples from pediatric heart transplant recipients and using mouse models, the research aims to understand how IL-33 can mitigate damage caused by the immune response to transplanted organs. The approach involves analyzing the immune cells involved in graft rejection and how IL-33 influences their behavior to improve transplant outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing rejection and enhancing the longevity of heart transplants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using similar immunoregulatory approaches to improve transplant outcomes, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turnquist, Heth R — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Turnquist, Heth R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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IL-33 helps protect heart transplant patients from long-term rejection
This grant studies how a natural molecule called IL-33 may shield heart transplant patients from ongoing immune damage and chronic rejection.
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Targeted mRNA delivery to improve heart transplants from donation after circulatory death
This grant tests a new mRNA delivery approach to help donor hearts from donors after circulatory death survive and function better after transplant.
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Belatacept to reduce rejection and protect kidneys after a heart transplant
This trial will compare continuing tacrolimus to gradually switching to belatacept over nine months in people receiving a first-time heart transplant to lower rejection, prevent donor-specific antibodies, and protect kidney function.
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Partial heart transplant to give growing heart valves to children
This work tries transplanting only the donor heart part that contains a valve so children can get a valve that grows with them.
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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.
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.