How immune signals affect healthy and MDS blood stem cells
Decoding innate immune signaling in normal and myelodysplastic hematopoiesis
This project aims to understand how immune signals in blood-forming stem cells drive myelodysplastic syndromes in older adults so better treatments can be developed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247125 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare normal and MDS bone marrow stem cells to find which innate immune pathways are abnormally activated. They will use genetic analyses, cell-based experiments, and improved mouse models to trace how those signals change stem cell function. The team will test laboratory approaches to correct or block the harmful signaling and identify candidate drug targets. Findings will guide future efforts to create therapies that restore healthy blood production.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for involvement would be adults, especially people over 60, diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes or willing to donate bone marrow or blood samples for research.
Not a fit: People without MDS or those hoping for an immediate new treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this is basic laboratory research rather than a treatment trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted therapies that restore healthy blood stem cell function and reduce transfusion needs or progression to leukemia.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have reported abnormal immune signaling in MDS, but turning those findings into effective clinical therapies remains largely unproven, so this builds on promising but still early evidence.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Starczynowski, Daniel — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Starczynowski, Daniel
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.