# Mechanobiology of Cardiopulmonary Fibrosis

> **NIH NIH R35** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $37,195

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
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:** 10397848
- **Project number:** 3R35HL135790-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** William D Merryman
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $37,195
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-01-11 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10397848

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10397848, Mechanobiology of Cardiopulmonary Fibrosis (3R35HL135790-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10397848. Licensed CC0.

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