How immune cells clear damaged mitochondria in antiphospholipid syndrome
Official title: Neutrophil Mitophagy in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11299104 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is seeing if fixing a cell-cleanup process in white blood cells can reduce harmful blood clots in adults with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $172,720 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AR085162-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11299104 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, especially those with recurrent blood clots or pregnancy complications despite standard anticoagulation, would be the ideal participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without antiphospholipid syndrome or those whose symptoms are already well controlled by anticoagulation are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will study neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) from adults with antiphospholipid syndrome to understand how they remove damaged mitochondria (mitophagy) and how failures in that process lead to harmful web-like material called NETs. Blood samples from patients will be examined in the lab for changes in cell metabolism and NET release. The team will also use experimental models to test whether restoring mitophagy prevents NET formation and thrombosis. This work combines patient-derived samples with laboratory experiments to pinpoint cellular steps that could become new treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new treatments that reduce clotting and pregnancy complications in people whose APS is not fully controlled by blood thinners.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked neutrophils and NETs to APS, but targeting mitophagy in neutrophils is a newer approach that has not yet been widely tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tambralli, Ajay — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Tambralli, Ajay
Related research
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A patient-facing look at a study that aims to understand how neutrophils and cell membranes contribute to blood clots in antiphospholipid syndrome and how this could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat the condition.
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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.