Understanding Inflammation and Immune Memory in Heart Disease
Critical Mediators of Inflammation Resolution and Immune Memory in Atherosclerosis
This work explores how the body's immune system and inflammation processes contribute to heart disease, aiming to find new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109494 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Despite medical advances, many people with heart disease still experience recurring problems, often due to ongoing inflammation. This project looks at why inflammation sometimes fails to resolve properly in atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in arteries. We are focusing on a specific protein, CaMK4, which seems to play a key role in both inflammation and how the immune system 'remembers' past threats, potentially making inflammation worse. By understanding how CaMK4 works, we hope to discover new targets for treatments that can calm inflammation and stabilize plaques.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by uncovering new treatment pathways.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or chronic arterial inflammation would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help resolve chronic inflammation in arteries, potentially reducing the risk of future heart attacks and strokes.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis is well-established, this specific focus on CaMK4 and immune memory as critical mediators of resolution failure represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doran, Amanda C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Doran, Amanda C
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 below.