Lactate and immune recovery after sepsis
Novel Role of Lactate in Sepsis Impaired Immune Function
['FUNDING_R01'] · EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11228791
This project looks at whether high lactate levels after sepsis make immune cells age and stop working, increasing the chance of new infections.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (JOHNSON CITY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11228791 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you survived sepsis, this work aims to explain why your immune system may stay weak by studying how lactate affects immune cells. Researchers will combine clinical data with lab experiments including mouse models and cell studies to track macrophage function, signs of cellular aging, and changes in key proteins. They will use RNA sequencing and biochemical tests to see how lactate changes gene activity and causes 'lactylation' of proteins like YAP that protect cells from aging. The team will measure infection survival, immune cell phagocytosis, and markers of senescence to connect these lab findings to sepsis outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults who have recently survived sepsis or who can provide clinical data or blood samples related to a sepsis episode.
Not a fit: People without a history of sepsis or those who are children or medically unstable for study procedures are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or treat immune weakening after sepsis and reduce later infections.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical data already links high lactate to worse sepsis outcomes and preclinical work shows lactate affects immune cells, but linking lactate-driven protein 'lactylation' and YAP-related immune aging is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
JOHNSON CITY, UNITED STATES
- EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY — JOHNSON CITY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, CHUANFU — EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LI, CHUANFU
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.