How sickle red blood cells change white blood cells
RBC Effects on Neutrophil Activation and Phenotypes in Sickle Cell Disease
Looking at whether red blood cells from people with sickle cell disease make neutrophils more sticky and inflammatory, which could worsen pain and blood flow problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161637 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use blood samples to see how intact sickle red blood cells interact with neutrophils and change their behavior, focusing on stickiness (adhesion) and release of inflammatory contents (degranulation). They will test how red blood cell features like exposed phosphatidylserine and activated adhesion receptors affect neutrophil responses. The team will compare neutrophil activity from people with sickle cell disease to controls and examine how exchange transfusion changes neutrophil activation. Lab studies will mimic the cell–cell contacts to pinpoint mechanisms that could be targeted by therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with sickle cell disease who can provide blood samples, including patients before and after exchange transfusion, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without sickle cell disease or with unrelated blood disorders are unlikely to be helped by this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to lower harmful neutrophil activation and reduce vaso-occlusive events in people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown neutrophil activation in sickle cell disease and that transfusion can reduce activation, but showing intact sickle red cells directly drive neutrophil dysfunction is a newer finding with promising preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Grace Ming — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Grace Ming
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.