How bone marrow macrophages affect red blood cell production in polycythemia vera
Official title: Erythroblastic island macrophages in normal erythropoiesis and disordered erythropoiesis in polycythemia vera
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11378743 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether certain bone marrow immune cells and their signals cause too many red blood cells and if blocking those signals could help people with polycythemia vera.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rye, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $785,595 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL181370-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378743 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with polycythemia vera, especially those known to carry the JAK2 V617F mutation and interested in new treatment avenues, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with other types of anemia or blood disorders, or patients whose polycythemia vera is already well controlled with current therapies, are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study central macrophages in the bone marrow called erythroblastic island macrophages to see how they support normal red blood cell growth. They will examine signaling pathways including EPO/EPOR-STAT5 and production of IGF1, SCF, transferrin, and the transferrin receptor CD71. Using models with the JAK2 V617F mutation that drives polycythemia vera, the team will test whether changes in these macrophages lead to excess red cell production. They will also look at whether blocking CD71, the IGF1-IGF1R pathway, or the SCF-cKit pathway can reduce overproduction of red blood cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to lower excessive red blood cell production in polycythemia vera by targeting macrophage signals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab studies show macrophages express EPOR and influence red cell production, but using macrophage CD71, IGF1, or SCF pathways as treatment targets for PV is a relatively new approach not yet tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
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New York Blood Center
Rye, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: An, Xiuli — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: An, Xiuli
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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.