# PTSD-Induced Alterations on Cardiac Homeostasis

> **NIH NIH F31** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $48,974

## Abstract

Project Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Multiple studies indicate that
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a risk factor for CVD. Clinical studies suggest that PTSD stimulates
chronic and uncontrolled inflammation through various cytokines and immune cells like macrophages and
matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. While these presented studies highlight associations, literature is lacking in
mechanisms connecting both CVD and PTSD, leaving patients vulnerable to CVD associated events.
Accordingly, the proposed study aims to determine the association between PTSD-induced chronic
inflammation and the resetting of cardiac homeostasis. The central hypothesis is that PTSD stimulates
recruitment of monocyte-derived macrophages to the heart, resulting in increased cardiac fibrosis and resetting
cardiac homeostasis via MMP-9 dependent mechanism. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that monocyte specific
MMP-9 stimulates PTSD-mediated cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that
PTSD-induced hyperactivation of monocytes stimulate fibroblast ECM production. Together the data will
provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies between CVD and PTSD to further the fields of both
cardiology and neuroscience. Collectively, the proposed studies align with the mission of NIH and NHLBI and
will enhance overall health, quality of life, and reduce disability.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10902971
- **Project number:** 1F31HL170740-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexa Corker
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $48,974
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-08 → 2026-05-07

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10902971

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10902971, PTSD-Induced Alterations on Cardiac Homeostasis (1F31HL170740-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10902971. Licensed CC0.

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