Reducing harmful inflammation after severe trauma and major blood loss
Inflammasome activation in trauma-hemorrhagic shock
This project aims to find out if blocking a protein called caspase-4 can lower dangerous inflammation and organ damage in people who suffer severe trauma with heavy bleeding.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170400 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had a severe injury with major blood loss, this work focuses on a protein inside cells that can trigger strong inflammation and contribute to organ failure. Researchers study how caspase-4 (in humans) and its mouse equivalent caspase-11 cause cell death and organ injury after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation using laboratory and animal models tied to human biology. They are testing a new drug that blocks caspase-4/11 to see whether it reduces inflammation, cell death, and damage to organs, with the goal of moving toward treatments for trauma patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who experience severe traumatic injury with significant blood loss (hemorrhagic shock) and who are at risk for multiple organ failure.
Not a fit: People with minor injuries or those whose organ problems are caused by non‑traumatic conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce multiple organ failure and improve recovery after severe traumatic bleeding.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking inflammasome pathways has shown promise in animal models of sepsis and trauma, but targeted caspase-4/11 inhibition is a newer, early-stage approach.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scott, Melanie J. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Scott, Melanie J.
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.