# Mechanobiology of Cardiopulmonary Fibrosis

> **NIH NIH R35** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $764,132

## Abstract

Summary
Cardiopulmonary fibrosis is a unifying factor in multiple pathologies, including post myocardial
infarction (MI) scarring that leads to heart failure, heart valve disease (HVD), and pulmonary
arterial hypertension (PAH), among others. My laboratory explores fibroblast-driven,
mechanobiological mechanisms of cardiopulmonary fibrotic remodeling and develops innovative
strategies to prevent or treat these diseases. We focus on cardiopulmonary fibroblasts and how
their unique phenotypic signatures can be targeted to halt their fibrotic machinery. We uniquely
leverage our engineering expertise to address mechanobiological inputs that drive
cardiopulmonary fibrosis, by effectively combining animal models of disease with primary cell in
vitro studies. Our prior accomplishments provide strong evidence for future promise to bridge key
gaps in our understanding that leads to development of novel treatment strategies. Initially, we
focused on HVD, but have since expanded into general cardiopulmonary fibrosis, including PAH,
which results in right heart failure, and fibrosis following MI. These new pursuits are
complementary to our well-established research program in HVD and combining my laboratory’s
NHLBI research portfolio would allow us to make rapid progress and translate our findings to
patients by: 1) building on past accomplishments, while sustaining present efforts and being
nimble enough to pursue opportunities presented in the course of research activities; 2) solidifying
the value of cardiopulmonary mechanobiology and positioning my group to not only continue our
research but to “seed” expertise more broadly in the NHLBI community; 3) maximizing common
use of costly reagents and animal models more effectively; 4) supporting my group of eight
trainees at steady state, including two junior faculty.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10319944
- **Project number:** 5R35HL135790-06
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** William D Merryman
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $764,132
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-11 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10319944

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10319944, Mechanobiology of Cardiopulmonary Fibrosis (5R35HL135790-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10319944. Licensed CC0.

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