Grant: Operating Grant

The main function of heart cells is to contract in order to provide blood pressure and blood flow to all parts of our bodies. However, we and many other investigators have found that heart cells also demonstrate evidence for a second function. Specifically, when heart cells are challenged by lack of blood or oxygen, by toxic molecules, and by molecules that are part of the response to infections, heart cells respond with an "inflammatory response". Importantly, this cardiac inflammatory response is associated with decreased contraction function of the heart. An anti-inflammatory response is also triggered which limits the effects of the inflammatory response. The goal of the research proposed in this application is to determine which molecules in the heart are responsible for initiating the anti-inflammatory response and how these molecules accomplish their effects. Understanding these steps and the mechanism of decreased heart function may lead to improved strategies to prevent and treat decreased heart function that occurs following heart attacks, following open-heart surgery, during heart failure, during heart transplant rejection, and during severe infections.