How a specific immune pathway causes COVID-19 inflammation and blood clots
Role of the Non-canonical Inflammasome in SARS-CoV-2-mediated Pathology and Coagulopathy
The team will look at whether a particular immune pathway drives inflammation, organ injury, and dangerous blood clots in people affected by COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310031 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This program uses lab-grown human cells, purified virus, and animal models to study how the non-canonical inflammasome contributes to lung, brain, and blood-vessel damage after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Researchers will use genetic tools, animal experiments, and bioinformatics support from shared cores to identify the host enzymes and pathways that cause inflammation, neuroinflammation, and thrombosis. Multiple coordinated projects aim to test ways to block those pathways while also targeting enzymes that help the virus replicate. The overall aim is to find molecular targets that could be developed into therapies to limit organ damage and long-COVID symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection—especially those with recent severe illness, thrombotic events, neurological symptoms, or ongoing long-COVID—would be most likely to qualify for follow-up clinical research stemming from this program.
Not a fit: Patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection or whose symptoms are driven by unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this primarily laboratory-focused program in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce COVID-related inflammation, prevent blood clots, and lower the risk of long-COVID complications.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have connected inflammasomes to COVID-19 inflammation and clotting, but targeting the non-canonical inflammasome and this combined focus on neuroinflammation, thrombosis, and viral replication is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amer, Amal O — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Amer, Amal O
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.