Federal Project Grant Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded The Washington University a Project Grant totaling $764,681 (Award Date: May 1, 2026; Completion: January 31, 2030) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) to investigate the role of cardiac fibroblast populations in heart failure progression. The research will deliver scientific discoveries and technical outputs examining a novel stem cell antigen (SCA)-1-expressing, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRB)-expressing cardiac fibroblast population with mesenchymal stem cell features. Through three research aims utilizing murine coronary ligation models, in vitro cell function studies, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), and inducible genetic deletion mouse models, the project will comprehensively define PDGFRB's importance in cardiac fibroblast function, characterize myofibroblast differentiation pathways, assess immune-fibrotic secretory profiles, and evaluate fibroblast-macrophage interactions.

The research deliverables will advance understanding of cardiac fibrosis mechanisms in ischemic heart failure and establish the pathogenic role of PDGFRB-expressing fibroblasts in chronic heart failure development. Outputs will include transcriptomic profiles of cardiac fibroblast subpopulations, characterization of PDGFRB-dependent signaling pathways, and validation data from genetically engineered mouse models. These scientific findings are intended to identify novel therapeutic targets for treating cardiac fibrosis, a condition that currently lacks specific clinical interventions and compromises left ventricular function in heart failure patients.