Using engineered nanoparticles to reduce inflammation and scarring after heart attacks
Official title: Engineered nanoparticles to control inflammation and fibrosis after acute myocardial infarction
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11063270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help your heart heal after a heart attack by using tiny particles to deliver medicine that reduces inflammation right where it's needed, which could improve your recovery and heart function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $484,502 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174055-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently suffered an acute myocardial infarction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a heart attack or those with advanced heart disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to improve heart recovery after a heart attack by using engineered nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory agents directly to the affected area. The goal is to transition the body's inflammatory response from a harmful phase to a healing phase more effectively. By targeting specific inflammatory signals and inhibiting the formation of scar tissue, this method aims to enhance cardiac function and repair. Patients who have experienced a heart attack may benefit from this innovative treatment strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery and heart function for patients after a heart attack.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using targeted delivery systems for anti-inflammatory therapies, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guan, Jianjun — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Guan, Jianjun
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeted nanotherapy to calm inflammation, grow new blood vessels, and prevent scarring after a heart attack
A new treatment approach uses engineered secretions from immune cells delivered early after a heart attack to reduce inflammation, promote blood vessel growth, and limit scarring to protect heart function.
-
Nanoparticle therapy to reduce inflammation and scarring after a heart attack
Tiny engineered nanoparticles will deliver anti-inflammatory and anti-scarring substances to the heart soon after a heart attack to help people recover better.
-
Real-time multi-lead ECG from wearables to help detect heart attacks early
A new AI-based approach uses everyday wearable sensors to turn simple PPG signals into multi-lead ECG data to monitor for heart attacks in real time, even outside the clinic.
-
Extreme heat and heart attack risk: who is most at risk and why
High heat and air pollution may raise the risk of heart attacks, and this project looks at who is most affected.
-
MMP-responsive biomaterials to treat a heart attack
A heart-attack treatment using smart materials that release healing therapies right where the heart was damaged, aimed at people who’ve had a heart attack.
-
Using ultrasound images and AI to better describe and predict heart attacks
This project uses routine heart ultrasound images plus AI to create detailed profiles that help predict outcomes for people hospitalized with acute heart attacks.
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.