How alcohol affects the body's response to bacterial infections
Official title: Alcohol impairs the HSPC response to septic infection
Funded at Northeast Ohio Medical University · NIH-10947732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how drinking alcohol affects your body's ability to fight serious infections, especially blood infections, by focusing on the cells that help produce important immune fighters called neutrophils, and it aims to find ways to help people who struggle with alcohol use improve their immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeast Ohio Medical University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rootstown, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $224,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AA031725-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of alcohol abuse who are at risk for serious bacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of alcohol abuse or who are not at risk for infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how alcohol consumption impacts the body's ability to fight off serious infections, particularly septicemia. It focuses on the role of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in producing neutrophils, which are essential for combating bacterial pathogens. The study aims to understand the mechanisms by which alcohol impairs the activation of these stem cells and their subsequent response during infections. By examining specific proteins and pathways involved in this process, the research seeks to uncover potential targets for improving immune responses in individuals with alcohol abuse issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients with alcohol abuse problems, enhancing their immune response to infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the immune response in the context of alcohol abuse can lead to significant advancements in treatment strategies, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Rootstown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Ping — Northeast Ohio Medical University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Ping
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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.