Center for Cardiovascular Inflammation (CCVI)

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in developed countries, and its burden is greatly influenced by inflammation. To address this critical challenge, the Vascular Medicine Institute has launched the Center for Cardiovascular Inflammation (CCVI), directed by Partha Dutta, DVM, PhD, an internationally recognized leader in inflammation research.

The CCVI brings together scientists and clinicians to bridge basic discoveries in cell metabolism, epigenetics, and immunity with new therapeutic strategies for patients. By fostering collaboration across departments and institutes, the Center is designed to accelerate impactful discoveries in inflammation and its role in cardiovascular disease and related conditions.

Our priorities include:

• Advancing cross-disciplinary research that integrates basic, translational, and clinical studies.
• Partnering with physicians in the Heart and Vascular Institute to drive clinical studies and trials.
• Recruiting new faculty with expertise in inflammation.
• Establishing core facilities to support cutting-edge research and data generation.
• Mentoring the next generation of investigators in cardiovascular inflammation.

The CCVI is closely integrated with existing research strengths in the Vascular Medicine Institute, Heart and Vascular Institute, and Department of Medicine, collaborating with centers such as the Center for Immunometabolism, Center for Pulmonary Vascular Biology and Medicine, the Cardiac Amyloidosis Center, the Aging Institute, and the Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine. It also complements efforts in the Department of Immunology and the Hillman Cancer Center, extending their expertise in immunity to inflammation-driven diseases.

Research at the CCVI spans a wide range of conditions, including myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, renal failure, and aging. By addressing unmet needs across these fields, the Center provides critical support to investigators and drives forward new approaches to patient care.

With its strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and mentorship, the CCVI is poised to become a leader in cardiovascular inflammation research, uniting experts across disciplines to transform our understanding and treatment of inflammation-related diseases.