Macrophages shaping aging blood stem cells in the bone marrow
Official title: Macrophage spatial heterogeneity in regulating hematopoietic aging
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11452476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how certain bone marrow macrophages help protect blood-forming stem cells as we age, with potential implications for anemia and healthier aging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $227,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG098255-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11452476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with aging-related blood disorders or conditions where aging affects blood formation.
✕Less likely to help
People without aging-related blood issues or those not able to participate in animal-based mechanism studies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
The project uses live imaging and a mouse model to study how different bone marrow macrophages interact with aging blood stem cells. It aims to understand why some stem cells stay quiet while others divide under inflammatory stress, and how the microenvironment influences their health over time. By visualizing these interactions in real time, researchers hope to identify factors that preserve stem cell function during aging. The findings could inform strategies to support healthier blood formation in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches to maintain healthy blood formation and potentially reduce age-related anemia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown macrophages influence stem cell behavior in aging, supporting the plausibility of this approach, though the specific NR/RE macrophage interactions are being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yeh, Shu-Chi — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Yeh, Shu-Chi
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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.