Understanding how immune cells affect heart inflammation and disease
Official title: Phagocyte Crosstalk in the Balance of Inflammation & Cardiac Disease
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11037601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the heart can cause inflammation and contribute to heart problems, and it aims to find ways to reduce their activity to help improve heart health for people with heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,091,824 |
| NIH project number | 1R35HL177401-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing heart failure or acute ischemic injury, particularly those with chronic inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related conditions or those without significant inflammation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of macrophage phagocytes in cardiac inflammation and heart failure. It aims to understand how these immune cells contribute to heart disease by promoting inflammation and how their activity can be selectively reduced to improve heart health. The study will explore the interactions between macrophages and other heart cells, focusing on the mechanisms that regulate inflammation resolution and tissue repair. By identifying these pathways, the research hopes to uncover new therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from heart conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve heart health and reduce the impact of heart failure and inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting immune cell activity to improve heart health, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thorp, Edward Benjamin — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Thorp, Edward Benjamin
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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.