# Novel Copolymer-based Cell Membrane Stabilizers to Attenuate Myocardial Infarction

> **NIH VA I01** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
As a board-certified VA anesthesiologist and cardiovascular physiologist I study protective mechanisms
against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury ultimately geared to help our often multi-morbid patients. Veterans
frequently suffer from atherosclerosis, including coronary artery disease, and, therefore, have a high incidence
of myocardial infarction, with often debilitating functional consequences if surviving. Paradoxically, abrupt
reperfusion, i.e., reintroduction of blood flow after prolonged ischemia, and its concomitant molecular and
metabolic changes may be more detrimental than the injury caused by the initial ischemia itself. Accordingly,
our revised application focuses on mitigating myocardial IR injury by administration of known and newly
designed synthetic copolymer-based cell membrane stabilizers (CCMS) given on reperfusion, and on
elucidating their protective mechanisms of action. For this original area in cardiovascular research, we
propose to use: 1) individual cell cultures and co-cultures of coronary artery endothelial cells and
cardiomyocytes; and 2) an isolated, intact heart preparation of myocardial infarction. These will complement
each other in focusing on novel mechanisms of myocardial protections by CCMS. Our inter-disciplinary
research team from anesthesiology, physiology, and chemical engineering brings together expertise with a
wide spectrum of scientific qualifications that combine fields of basic science and medicine that normally have
minimal to no interaction in translational research. As such, we are uniquely positioned to enhance our
understanding of the complex pathophysiological processes that take place during and after prolonged
myocardial IR and to find innovative ways to increase survival, functional recovery and quality of life in
thousands of critically ill patients each year. Thus, findings from this highly innovative project may result in
novel treatments for victims of heart attacks and may have important implications on the optimal medical care
for patients, especially in our vulnerable Veteran population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10612331
- **Project number:** 5I01BX003482-05
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthias L. Riess
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10612331

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10612331, Novel Copolymer-based Cell Membrane Stabilizers to Attenuate Myocardial Infarction (5I01BX003482-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10612331. Licensed CC0.

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