Gasdermin D's role in the bone marrow and age-related abnormal blood cell growth
The role of Gasdermin D in the bone marrow microenvironment during clonal hematopoiesis progression
This project tests whether lowering a protein called Gasdermin D in bone marrow support cells can slow clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related condition that raises leukemia risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11473569 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone affected by age-related blood changes, the team is building human bone marrow 'organoids' that recreate the marrow's 3D environment including blood-forming and support cells. They will put patient-derived blood stem cells with TET2 mutations into these organoids to see how inflammation from non-blood stromal cells influences abnormal clonal growth. The work follows prior mouse results where removing Gasdermin D in support cells reduced clonal expansion, and now aims to test that idea in a human-like system. Results could reveal whether targeting Gasdermin D or local inflammation might slow or prevent progression toward leukemia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates to contribute are older adults with clonal hematopoiesis or TET2-mutant blood cells who are willing to donate blood or bone marrow samples for research.
Not a fit: People without clonal hematopoiesis or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or slow clonal hematopoiesis progressing to blood cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies showed that loss of Gasdermin D in marrow support cells reduced clonal expansion, but translating that finding to human organoid models is a new step.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ren, Kehan — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Ren, Kehan
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 below.