Understanding how immune cells respond to heart injury

Fate-mapping of Cardiac Monocyte Recruitment and Specification

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10897222

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 typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10897222 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: 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.

Not a fit: Patients with stable cardiovascular conditions who have not experienced recent cardiac events may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.