Understanding how immune memory affects inflammation in aortic aneurysms.
Official title: Epigenetic Regulation of Trained Immunity in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11168097 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in your body, called macrophages, react to inflammation in conditions like thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat these issues by understanding how these cells remember past inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $715,180 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL179883-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11168097 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections, particularly those experiencing chronic inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with aortic conditions unrelated to inflammation or those without a diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of immune cells, particularly macrophages, in the inflammation associated with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. It explores how these immune cells can 'remember' previous inflammatory stimuli, leading to a heightened response in future encounters. By analyzing the genetic and epigenetic changes in these cells, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind this trained immunity and its impact on aortic health. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments targeting inflammation in aortic diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel therapies that reduce inflammation and improve outcomes for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune memory and inflammation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Ying H — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Shen, Ying H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
A new AI tool uses multiple types of patient data to help doctors find genetic causes of congenital heart disease more accurately.
-
Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Children
This project watches how often common vaccines prevent illnesses in kids who are in the hospital or at the emergency department, and compares them with healthy children getting well-child care.
-
Triple gene therapy approach to heal the heart after a heart attack
A new therapy combines three genetic approaches delivered by a virus to help the heart heal after a heart attack.
-
Thalamic sleep circuit changes in Alzheimer's disease
Aims to understand how sleep-related brain activity in a key sleep regulator called the TRN affects Alzheimer’s progression and whether boosting TRN function could slow symptoms.
-
Cardiomyocyte-fibroblast signaling in atrial fibrillation
A researcher at Baylor College of Medicine is studying how signals between heart muscle cells and supportive heart cells influence atrial fibrillation, with the goal of finding new ways to prevent or treat this common heart rhythm problem.
-
UMPIRE: Keeping Kidneys Healthy for Babies with Spina Bifida
A care protocol for newborns with spina bifida aims to protect kidney function by thoughtful bladder management and monitoring from birth.
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.