BCOR's role in blood clot risk and liver genetics
Official title: BCOR Regulation of Venous Thromboembolism
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11378452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Johns Hopkins-led study is exploring how a human gene, BCOR, may control liver-produced clotting factors to influence venous blood clots.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,376 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL174778-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for venous thromboembolism or related coagulation disorders could benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without genetic or liver-related factors affecting coagulation may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how BCOR interacts with epigenetic regulators in liver cells to control the production of coagulation factors that affect clot risk. Using human data and animal models, researchers will study BCOR’s effect on Factor VII and related pathways, aiming to understand why some people are more prone to venous clots. The team will test ideas about how BCOR suppresses Factor VII expression through specific chromatin complexes and will translate these findings toward potential new prevention or treatment approaches. Results could reveal new targets for therapies to reduce VTE risk in patients with relevant genetic profiles. Overall, the work seeks to connect a genetic regulator to the biology of blood clot formation with potential clinical implications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to prevent or lower the risk of venous thromboembolism in people with certain genetic backgrounds.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data support BCOR's role in regulating coagulation factors in cells and mice, indicating a plausible translational path.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowenstein, Charles J — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Lowenstein, Charles 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.