Lactate and immune recovery after sepsis
Official title: Novel Role of Lactate in Sepsis Impaired Immune Function
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11228791 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | December 12, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $576,326 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI174020-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11228791 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults who have recently survived sepsis or who can provide clinical data or blood samples related to a sepsis episode.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of sepsis or those who are children or medically unstable for study procedures are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Chuanfu — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Li, Chuanfu
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of blood flow mechanics and transfusion in sepsis-related tiny-cl vessel clots
A patient-focused look at how red blood cell flow and transfusions might influence tiny blood vessel clots and organ problems in sepsis.
-
STeroids and enhanced Antibiotics for sepsis in Africa with HIV/TB (STARS)
This grant tests whether adding steroids and stronger antibiotics helps adults with severe sepsis tied to HIV/TB in areas with high TB rates.
-
Steroids and better antibiotics for sepsis in people with AIDS in Africa
This study tests whether adding hydrocortisone and stronger antibiotics can improve survival for adults with sepsis who also have AIDS or advanced immune suppression in regions with high TB.
-
Coordinating ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis research to improve care
A national coordinating center helps researchers studying ARDS and related infections work together more efficiently to learn what helps patients recover.
-
Role of MMP3 in heart dysfunction during sepsis
This research tests whether blocking MMP3 can protect the heart and improve survival during sepsis in adults.
-
Sepsis patient care guided by Ugandan-wide immune profiling
A large NIH-funded study will map how the immune system behaves during sepsis in people in Uganda to improve personalized care for sepsis patients.
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.