How tissue factor affects blood clots and immune responses
Tissue factor-dependent coagulation in thrombosis and immune responses
This work looks at how a protein called tissue factor changes blood clotting and immune responses in conditions like thrombosis, infections, atherosclerosis, and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290719 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how tissue factor, a protein on cells and small particles, starts blood clotting and sends signals that affect immune responses. They use laboratory methods, animal models, and analysis of patient-derived samples such as tumor-derived tissue-factor–positive extracellular vesicles to trace how these molecules promote or prevent clots and alter infection outcomes. The team builds on prior findings linking tumor-derived tissue factor to higher blood clot risk in cancer and on mouse models showing protective or harmful immune effects during viral and bacterial infections. Findings will inform new ways to detect or block harmful clotting or to boost helpful immune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer (especially pancreatic cancer), a history of venous blood clots, active severe bacterial or viral infections, or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who can provide blood samples or join related clinical studies would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without clotting disorders, cancer, or significant infections, and those needing immediate clinical therapy for an acute clot, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new tests or treatments to prevent dangerous blood clots and improve infection outcomes in people with cancer, cardiovascular disease, or severe infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked tissue-factor–positive particles to higher clot risk in cancer patients and shown important TF–PAR1 effects in infection models, but therapies directly targeting these pathways are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mackman, Nigel — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Mackman, Nigel
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.