Restoring SIRT7 to protect aging blood stem cells

Targeting SIRT7 Regulation of Mitochondrial Quality Control to Short Circuit Age-Related Diseases of the Hematopoietic System

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · NIH-11251305

This project aims to restore SIRT7 and improve mitochondrial cleanup in older blood stem cells to help prevent age-related blood problems, leukemia, and heart disease.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (LEXINGTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11251305 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If I'm worried about getting blood cancers or heart disease as I age, this research focuses on a protein called SIRT7 that helps cells handle stress and keep mitochondria healthy. The team uses lab experiments and animal models to see how loss of SIRT7 disrupts mitochondrial quality control in blood stem cells and drives clonal expansions linked to leukemia and cardiovascular risk. By targeting the SIRT7–mitoQC pathway they hope to reverse or prevent those age-related changes in the hematopoietic system. Findings could point toward new ways to keep immune and blood-forming cells healthier with age.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with evidence of clonal hematopoiesis or people at higher risk for age-related blood disorders or cardiovascular disease.

Not a fit: Younger individuals without age-related blood stem cell changes or people with advanced, treatment-resistant leukemia are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could lead to treatments that keep blood stem cells healthier with age, reducing the chance of clonal hematopoiesis, leukemia, and related cardiovascular problems.

How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have linked SIRT7 to aging and stem cell function, but targeting the SIRT7–mitochondrial quality control pathway as a therapy in humans is largely untested.

Where this research is happening

LEXINGTON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Center, Cardiovascular Diseases

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.