Reducing harmful inflammation after severe trauma and major blood loss
Official title: Inflammasome activation in trauma-hemorrhagic shock
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11170400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | January 1, 2013 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $331,005 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM102146-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
People with minor injuries or those whose organ problems are caused by non‑traumatic conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
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.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Pragmatic midodrine trial to reduce ICU vasopressor use in septic shock
A practical, patient-focused trial tests whether taking oral midodrine can lessen the need for IV vasopressors and shorten ICU stays for people with sepsis-related low blood pressure.
-
Understanding how small heat shock proteins protect our cells
A study from the University of Washington explores how tiny chaperone proteins protect eye and other cells from damage, which could help prevent conditions like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
-
A new approach to freeing HIV from brain cells and reducing brain inflammation
A patient-focused approach tests a strategy to flush out hidden HIV in the brain and protect brain health by reducing inflammation.
-
Shock patients: better, faster teamwork to find the cause
A team of clinicians works together to quickly identify the exact cause of a patient’s shock to guide the right treatment.
-
Multi-scale model to improve REBOA use in hemorrhagic shock
A researcher team is building a computer model to better predict how to use REBOA, a device that can control bleeding in the torso, so patients with severe trauma may survive.
-
Phospholipid nanoparticle fluid to replace blood volume and protect organs in severe bleeding
A new, bubble-free fluid made of tiny lipid particles is being developed to quickly restore blood volume and protect organs during severe bleeding when real blood isn’t available.
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.