Understanding how immune cells help the heart heal after injury
Official title: Macrophage functional dynamics in adult heart regeneration
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11059842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called macrophages help the heart heal after an injury, and it could lead to new treatments to improve recovery for people with heart damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $572,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164933-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have experienced heart injury or disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of macrophages, a type of immune cell, in the healing process of the heart following injury. By analyzing the different states and functions of these cells, the study aims to uncover how they contribute to heart regeneration. Using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers will identify how macrophages change their behavior during inflammation and healing. This knowledge could lead to new therapies that enhance heart recovery after damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that improve heart regeneration and recovery after injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell roles in heart healing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Jiandong — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Liu, Jiandong
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.