Understanding how immune cells affect aortic valve disease differently in men and women
Official title: Identifying the Role of Fibroblast-Macrophage Crosstalk in Aortic Valve Stenosis Sexual Dimorphism
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-10998691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how men and women experience heart valve problems caused by aortic valve stenosis, focusing on the role of immune cells and inflammation, to find new treatments that could work better for each sex.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HL176073-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10998691 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old, particularly those diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with aortic valve stenosis who are under 21 years old or do not have the condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in how men and women experience aortic valve stenosis (AVS), a condition that leads to heart valve problems. It focuses on the role of immune cells, particularly macrophages, in the progression of AVS and how these processes differ between sexes. By examining the inflammatory responses and cellular interactions in the heart valves, the study aims to uncover potential new treatments that could be tailored based on a patient's sex and inflammatory status. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data that help researchers understand these mechanisms better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized treatment options for aortic valve stenosis that consider sex differences in disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khang, Alex — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Khang, Alex
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Metformin Readiness for Aortic Valve Stenosis
A plan to prepare for a patient-focused trial of metformin to slow aortic valve stenosis in adults, using insights from human valves and biology.
-
Understanding how genetic factors influence aortic valve disease progression
This study is looking at the genes and molecules involved in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) to find new ways to treat it, which could help patients who currently have few options and often need surgery.
-
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Registry for Outcomes and Quality Monitoring
This registry collects information from hospitals about patients undergoing TAVR to see how care and outcomes compare to guidelines and nationwide data.
-
Vericiguat to slow calcific aortic valve narrowing
This trial tests whether vericiguat can slow the progression of mild-to-moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis compared with placebo.
-
CHATEAU Registry: Real-world outcomes after TAVR
This registry collects real-world data from adults who had TAVR between 2021 and 2025 to see how they do over time and how valve performance holds up.
-
Impact of TAVR on kidney function in people with aortic valve disease
This registry tests how trans-catheter aortic valve implantation affects kidney function and the risk of kidney injury in adults with aortic stenosis.
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.