How CD53 helps protect blood-forming stem cells during inflammation
Protection of stressed hematopoietic stem cells by the tetraspanin family member CD53
Researchers are learning whether a protein called CD53 keeps blood-forming stem cells safe during inflammation so they stay healthy and less likely to lead to blood problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249213 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses laboratory experiments and mouse models to see how CD53 changes when stem cells face inflammatory signals and how that affects their ability to stay quiet (quiescent) or start dividing. Scientists compare normal mice with mice lacking CD53 and expose cells to inflammatory cytokines and mobilizing agents to mimic stress. They use RNA sequencing and protein proximity-labeling to map the molecules that interact with CD53 and to track changes in cell-cycle gene activity tied to the DREAM complex and p53/p21 pathways. The goal is to find the molecular steps by which CD53 helps preserve long-lived blood stem cells under stress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at increased risk for blood or bone marrow disorders, or patients whose blood stem cells are harmed by ongoing inflammation, would be the most relevant group for future clinical applications.
Not a fit: People with unrelated medical conditions or those with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers not driven by hematopoietic stem cell inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to protect or restore healthy blood stem cells during inflammation and lower the risk of bone marrow failure or certain blood cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse data from this project and related work suggest CD53 affects stem cell function under stress, but translating this into human therapies is new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schuettpelz, Laura G. — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Schuettpelz, Laura G.
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.