Autoantibodies and immune suppression in sepsis and ARDS
Official title: Pathological Autoantibodies Contribute to Immune Suppression in Sepsis
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11392979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A human-focused study to understand how autoimmune antibodies develop during sepsis and ARDS and how they affect immune function and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $410,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM156197-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with sepsis or ARDS and evidence of immune dysfunction or autoantibody presence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sepsis/ARDS or without immune impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research will examine how autoimmune antibodies arise in severe illness like sepsis and ARDS and how they might drive immune suppression. By analyzing patient samples and existing data, the team will explore the connection between autoantibodies and lymphopenia, immune dysfunction, and secondary infections. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could inform new treatment strategies to improve survival and reduce complications in critically ill patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these antibodies could lead to new approaches that prevent immune collapse and reduce infections in sepsis and ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked autoantibodies to worse outcomes in critical illness, with some novel antibodies identified in sepsis and post-COVID patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nau, Gerard J — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nau, Gerard J
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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.