C1q protein and deadly sepsis

Complement C1q and sepsis associated fatalities

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-11122274

Testing whether keeping or restoring the immune protein C1q in people with sepsis can lower the risk of death.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11122274 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We will examine neutrophils from people hospitalized with sepsis to measure C1q levels and compare those who survive to those who do not. The team will link neutrophil C1q patterns to patient outcomes and use mouse sepsis models to test whether blocking or giving C1q changes survival. Findings from the animal work will help decide if C1q could be used as a blood marker of risk or as a treatment approach. The goal is to develop ways to identify high-risk patients and guide therapies that might reduce deaths from sepsis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People (children and adults) hospitalized with severe sepsis or septic shock who can provide blood samples and receive care at the enrolling hospitals.

Not a fit: People without sepsis, those with only mild infections not causing organ dysfunction, or patients whose illness is non-infectious are unlikely to benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a blood test to identify high-risk sepsis patients and to new C1q-based treatments that reduce sepsis deaths.

How similar studies have performed: Early patient observations and supportive mouse experiments reported by the investigators are promising, but C1q approaches have not yet been proven effective in people.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.