How megakaryocytes function differently in various tissues

Tissue Dependent Megakaryocyte Functions

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-11019854

This study is looking at special blood cell precursors called megakaryocytes to see how they work in different parts of the body, like the lungs and spleen, especially when responding to infections like bacterial pneumonia, which could help us understand and improve immune responses.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11019854 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the roles of megakaryocytes (Mk), which are blood cell precursors, in different tissues such as the lungs and spleen. It aims to understand how these cells respond to environmental factors and pathogens, particularly their ability to present antigens to T cells, which is crucial for immune responses. By using advanced mouse models, the research will explore how Mk differentiation occurs outside of the bone marrow and how their functions can change based on their tissue environment. This could lead to new insights into immune responses related to infections like bacterial pneumonia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that affect immune responses, such as bacterial pneumonia or other infectious diseases.

Not a fit: Patients with stable, non-infectious conditions or those not affected by immune response issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of immune responses and lead to improved treatments for infections and other conditions related to megakaryocyte functions.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific focus on tissue-dependent megakaryocyte functions is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell functions in various environments.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.