Blood vesicles carrying CD39 and lung clots in sickle cell disease
Official title: CD39-carrying extracellular vesicles regulate pulmonary thrombosis in Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at Versiti Blood Health, INC. · NIH-11127788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether tiny particles in the blood that carry CD39 can help prevent dangerous lung blood clots in people with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Blood Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $774,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166345-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with sickle cell disease, particularly those with a history of or current respiratory symptoms or pulmonary complications, and who are willing to provide blood samples, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without sickle cell disease or patients who are unwilling to provide blood samples or participate in follow-up may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team will study blood and the tiny particles called extracellular vesicles that circulate in people with sickle cell disease to see if CD39 on those particles breaks down ADP and stops platelets from forming clots in the lungs. They will compare samples and molecular markers from patients who do and do not develop acute pulmonary thrombosis and use lab and animal experiments to test how the pathway works. The goal is to pinpoint genetic or molecular differences that make some patients more likely to get lung clots. Findings would be used to guide more precise tests or treatments for those at highest risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to tests that identify sickle cell patients at high risk for lung clots and new treatments that boost CD39-related protection to prevent those clots.
How similar studies have gone: Prior mouse studies linked ADP-driven platelet activation to lung clots and clinical trials of P2Y12 blockers in SCD showed no benefit, so studying CD39 on extracellular vesicles is a newer, mechanistically driven approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Versiti Blood Health, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sundd, Prithu — Versiti Blood Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Sundd, Prithu
Related research
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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.