How iron-driven cell death affects aging red blood cells
The role of ferroptosis in red cell aging in vivo and in vitro
This project looks at how iron-related cell damage and a process called ferroptosis harm red blood cells and what that could mean for anemia and the quality of stored blood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325329 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will examine red blood cells using lab-grown cells, mouse models, and human-derived samples to understand how iron and oxidative stress cause cells to age and die. They will study molecular players like p53 and the ferrireductase STEAP3 and measure markers of oxidative damage, hemoglobin handling, and cell survival. Some experiments mimic blood bank storage to see why stored blood degrades, while others follow red cells in living models. The work aims to connect basic lab findings to problems like anemia and transfusion quality.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with red blood cell disorders such as anemia, people who receive frequent transfusions, or blood donors interested in storage-quality research.
Not a fit: People without red blood cell conditions or those seeking immediate clinical treatment may not directly benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could suggest ways to protect red blood cells, improving treatments for anemia and methods to preserve donated blood.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior lab studies have implicated ferroptosis and iron-dependent oxidative damage in cell death, but applying these mechanisms specifically to red blood cell aging and transfusion quality is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: D'alessandro, Angelo — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: D'alessandro, Angelo
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.