How serum amyloid A acts in health and AA amyloidosis
Structure and Function of Serum Amyloid A in Health and Disease
This project learns how a blood protein called serum amyloid A and its partners make harmful amyloid that can damage kidneys and liver in people with long-term inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248761 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is trying to understand why serum amyloid A (SAA) sometimes forms sticky amyloid deposits that harm organs. They mix human or mouse SAA with different fats (lipids) and sugar chains called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), then selectively break down components to see which changes trigger misfolding. The work uses lab techniques like spectroscopy, electron microscopy, immune-based tests, and computer modeling to watch amyloid form and identify the key steps. The aim is to learn which molecular interactions protect against or promote the harmful SAA clumps so future treatments can be designed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with AA amyloidosis or those with ongoing inflammatory conditions that put them at risk (for example chronic infections or autoimmune diseases) would be the most relevant candidates for future trials resulting from this research.
Not a fit: People with other types of amyloidosis not driven by SAA (such as AL amyloidosis) or with organ damage from non-inflammatory causes may not benefit directly from findings focused on SAA-driven AA amyloidosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or reverse SAA amyloid deposits and help protect the kidneys and liver of people with chronic inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work, including from this team, has clarified how SAA binds lipids and its structural behavior, but translating those findings into proven treatments for AA amyloidosis remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gursky, Olga — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Gursky, Olga
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.