Inflammation-linked autophagy problems in blood cells with sickle cell disease
Official title: Inflammation-associated Autophagy Dysfunction
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-11539153 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist is studying how inflammation from TNF-alpha affects autophagy in platelets and red blood cells of people with sickle cell disease to better understand why blood clotting and cell health go awry.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $469,250 |
| NIH project number | 7R00HL177831-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539153 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with sickle cell disease or related blood disorders who could contribute blood-derived samples for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
People without sickle cell disease or related hematologic conditions are unlikely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how TNF-alpha-driven inflammation may block autophagy and mitophagy in platelets and reticulocytes from people with sickle cell disease, potentially causing dysfunctional mitochondria and abnormal blood clotting. The work will examine shared pathways in cells that come from the same blood-forming progenitors to see how inflammation alters their mitochondrial clearance. Researchers will use human-derived samples and laboratory models to explore the mechanisms behind impaired mitochondrial removal and its effects on hemostasis. The findings could reveal targets to restore proper autophagy and improve blood health in SCD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to reduce blood cell dysfunction and abnormal clotting in sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction to blood cell abnormalities; this project builds on those ideas in a unique SCD context.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davizon-Castillo, Pavel — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Davizon-Castillo, Pavel
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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.