Understanding the Body's Healing Signals After a Heart Attack

Chemokines in healing myocardial infarction

NIH-funded research Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11124696

This research looks at how cells communicate to repair the heart after a heart attack.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAlbert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bronx, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124696 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

After a heart attack, your body works to repair the damaged heart tissue, but this healing process can sometimes lead to scarring that affects heart function. This project explores how specific communication pathways, called integrins, on cells like immune cells (macrophages) and scar-forming cells (fibroblasts) guide the heart's repair. We are learning how these signals influence whether the heart heals well or develops harmful scarring. Our goal is to uncover new ways to encourage healthy healing and prevent complications after a heart attack.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is foundational for patients who have experienced a heart attack and are at risk for complications from the heart's healing process.

Not a fit: Patients without a history of myocardial infarction or related heart damage would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve heart healing and prevent long-term complications after a heart attack.

How similar studies have performed: While integrins are known to be involved in inflammation and healing, this project is a novel investigation into their specific roles in different cell types during heart attack recovery.

Where this research is happening

Bronx, 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.