Aging bone marrow and growth of mutated blood stem cells
Mechanisms of marrow microenvironmental aging and their impact of progression of clonal hematopoiesis
This research tests whether changes in the aging bone marrow let mutated blood stem cells expand and whether HIV drugs called NRTIs can reduce inflammation and slow that process in people with age-related clonal blood changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298991 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will look at how the aged bone marrow environment changes the behavior of blood stem cells that carry mutations (clonal hematopoiesis). Researchers will focus on a gene regulator called SIRT6 and the role of retrotransposons (mobile DNA elements) that can trigger inflammation. They will test whether drugs known as nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) can block retrotransposon activity and reduce inflammatory signals in the marrow niche. Work will combine laboratory models and analysis relevant to human clonal hematopoiesis to identify ways to prevent harmful clonal expansion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with detected clonal hematopoiesis mutations or those at higher risk of developing MDS/AML who might consider participating in related translational studies or future trials.
Not a fit: People without clonal hematopoiesis or those who already have overt advanced MDS or AML are unlikely to get direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to repurposing existing NRTI drugs to reduce inflammation and lower the chance that clonal hematopoiesis progresses to myelodysplastic syndromes or leukemia.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse work has shown NRTIs can reduce retrotransposon activity, lower inflammation, and improve aging markers, but applying this approach to prevent progression in people with clonal hematopoiesis is novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Calvi, Laura M — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Calvi, Laura M
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.