Heme-Driven Immune Dysregulation in Critical Illness
Official title: Heme-Based Immune Dysregulation in Critical Illness
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11378744 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how free heme from red blood cell breakdown affects the immune system in people with sepsis or chronic blood disorders, with the aim of guiding better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $402,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM160336-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378744 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults hospitalized with sepsis or chronic hemolytic diseases (e.g., Sickle Cell Disease, Thalassemia) who may have received RBC transfusions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sepsis or chronic hemolytic conditions may not experience direct benefits from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how circulating heme influences the body’s innate and adaptive immune responses in patients who are critically ill due to sepsis or chronic hemolytic diseases, including those who receive RBC transfusions. By examining human samples from these patients, the study seeks to understand how heme may dysregulate immunity and contribute to worse outcomes. The team will explore potential causal links between heme exposure and immune suppression, aiming to identify targets for therapies that could improve survival and reduce complications. The work is conducted under an NIH MIRA grant to support an Early Stage Investigator and bridge laboratory findings to patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new strategies to modulate heme-related immune dysfunction and improve outcomes for patients with sepsis or chronic hemolytic diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests that heme release can alter immune responses, but direct causal links in humans require further validation such as this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Remy, Kenneth Eugene — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Remy, Kenneth Eugene
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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.