A type of white blood cell that links inflammation and abnormal blood clotting in COVID-19
Low Density Neutrophils Link Inflammation and Coagulopathy in COVID-19
Measuring whether a specific kind of neutrophil drives inflammation and dangerous blood clots in people with severe COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will examine blood from people hospitalized with COVID-19 to measure levels of a newly recognized low-density neutrophil (CD16 intermediate) and compare those levels to how sick patients are. They will compare these cells with markers of inflammation (like IL-6 and TNF-α) and clotting (such as D-dimer) and look for signs the cells form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). In the lab, scientists will test whether these neutrophils promote blood clotting or damage to blood vessel cells using cell-based assays. The team aims to link the cell findings to the lung injury and clotting problems that lead to ARDS in COVID-19.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults hospitalized with COVID-19—especially those with severe pneumonia, rising inflammatory markers, high D-dimer, or signs of ARDS—would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without COVID-19 or those with only mild outpatient illness are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat severe inflammation and blood clots in people with COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked neutrophils, NETs, and inflammation to ARDS and COVID-19 thrombosis, but this specific low-density CD16-intermediate neutrophil subset is newly described and not yet targeted by treatments.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Jun — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Yan, Jun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.