Blood clots linked to antiphospholipid antibodies
Official title: Thrombosis and Antiphospholipid Antibodies
Funded at Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center · NIH-11213964 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at how antibodies against a blood protein called β2‑glycoprotein I may trigger dangerous clots and pregnancy loss in people with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005939-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213964 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diagnosed antiphospholipid syndrome or positive anticardiolipin/β2‑glycoprotein I antibodies, especially those with prior blood clots or recurrent midtrimester pregnancy loss, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without antiphospholipid antibodies or whose clotting is due to unrelated causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
This work focuses on β2‑glycoprotein I, a blood protein that antibodies commonly target in antiphospholipid syndrome. Scientists will study how those antibodies interact with mitochondrial components and mitochondrial DNA released during tissue injury, which can act like bacterial signals and drive inflammation. The team will measure antibody types and levels and examine blood or tissue samples to see whether these interactions promote clot formation or placental injury. Findings will come from lab analyses that connect molecular events to the patterns of clotting and pregnancy loss seen in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better tests to predict who is at higher risk of clots and new therapies to prevent clotting and pregnancy complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked these antibodies to clotting and pregnancy loss, but the specific role of extracellular mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA as a driving mechanism is a newer idea that has not been proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thiagarajan, Perumal — Michael E Debakey VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Thiagarajan, Perumal
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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.