Cardiovascular disease is the number cause of death in the United States. Most cardiovascular diseases are associated with an increase in myocardial mass or cardiac hypertrophy. The heart responds to exercise and other stress through an increase in cardiomyocyte in size in order to produce more force and cope with the increased demand. In addition to signaling pathways that are activated within cardiomyocytes, other cellular changes occur in response to cardiac stress. Some of these changes are adaptive but others are maladaptive. Although many therapies are available for heart failure, we are still not able to prevent maladaptive changes in response to stress. Prevention of maladaptive remodeling can lead to the ultimate avoidance of heart failure. We have acquired preliminary data using innovative technologies showing that macrophages and B cells are activated in the early adaptive phase in response to cardiac stress. Our hypothesis is that cardiac resident macrophages promote adaptive, compensatory remodeling during cardiac stress in a process that is regulated by B cells. Based on our preliminary findings, we are proposing to determine the role of macrophages in the early adaptive phase of cardiac remodeling during pathological and physiological stress (Aim 1), investigate the origins and mechanisms of resident macrophage activation during hypertrophy (Aim 2), and identify the mechanisms by which B cells influence macrophage function during cardiac stress (Aim 3). Throughout the proposal we will use innovative techniques, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and advanced imaging strategies, to probe the role of macrophages and B cells in cardiac remodeling. The ultimate goal of the current proposal is to identify a possible adaptive role of macrophage early during the remodeling process. Using these discoveries, future research will focus on developing novel therapeutics to enhance adaptive remodeling and inhibiting maladaptive remodeling. Given the impact of cardiovascular disease on overall health, this proposal holds great promise for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease on our society.

Public Health Relevance

The goal of this proposal is to increase our understanding of the role of immune cells in the early adaptation process of cardiac stress. The results of these studies will provide a platform to develop therapeutic strategies to enhance the adaptive remodeling of the heart, while postponing or even preventing heart failure. Cardiovascular disease and heart failure are leading causes of death worldwide, and interventions that can transform pathological into physiological remodeling will have a major impact on disease progression after cardiac injury.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL155993-01
Application #
10111026
Study Section
Cardiac Contractility, Hypertrophy, and Failure Study Section (CCHF)
Program Officer
Adhikari, Bishow B
Project Start
2021-02-01
Project End
2025-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455