Understanding how immune cells respond to heart injury
Official title: Fate-mapping of Cardiac Monocyte Recruitment and Specification
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10897222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your immune system reacts after heart injury, especially how certain immune cells called monocytes move to the heart and change into different types of cells that help with healing, which could lead to new treatments for heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $101,449 |
| NIH project number | 5K99HL166861-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, and are at risk for heart failure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable cardiovascular conditions who have not experienced recent cardiac events may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response following cardiac injury, particularly focusing on how monocytes, a type of immune cell, are recruited to the heart and how they develop into diverse macrophage populations. By using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to track the timing and location of these immune cells as they respond to heart damage. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms that dictate their development and function, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for heart conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse heart damage after injuries like heart attacks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in cardiovascular diseases, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koenig, Andrew Leighton — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Koenig, Andrew Leighton
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.