Role of altered mitochondria in preventing GVHD after stem cell transplant
Official title: Role of Altered Mitochondrial dynamics in Graft Versus Host Disease
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11378688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how damaged mitochondria released during pre-transplant conditioning may trigger graft-versus-host disease and tests ways to fix mitochondrial dynamics to prevent GVHD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $739,411 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173786-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who are at risk for GVHD could potentially benefit from therapies derived from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing stem cell transplantation or whose GVHD risk is negligible may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Graft-versus-host disease is a major risk after stem cell transplant. The researchers study how stressed tissue from conditioning regimens releases damaged mitochondria that may drive GVHD. Using mouse models, they test whether reducing mitochondrial fission and promoting mitophagy can lessen harmful mitochondrial release and GVHD. The study aims to identify targets to prevent GVHD without compromising the donor cells’ ability to fight cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies that reduce GVHD risk for transplant patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data support that mitochondrial dynamics influence immune activation in GVHD models, suggesting potential for translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
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Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haileselassie, Bereketab — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Haileselassie, Bereketab
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting early oral GVHD to improve mouth health after stem cell transplant
A study at UW–Madison will explore why some transplant patients develop painful oral GVHD and test ideas to prevent and lessen mouth-related problems.
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Microbiome-based therapy for treatment-refractory GVHD after stem cell transplant
A microbiome-based therapy is being developed to help people who have graft-versus-host disease that doesn’t respond to standard treatments after a stem cell transplant.
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Fecal transplant plus fiber to treat graft-versus-host disease after blood stem cell transplant
A study to see if giving fecal transplant along with dietary fiber helps gut health and reduces complications in patients who have received a stem cell transplant and developed graft-versus-host disease.
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Using medium-chain fatty acids and a fat-sensing receptor to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease
This project looks at whether changing medium‑chain fatty acids or blocking a fat sensor called GPR84 can help people with chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
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Microbiome-based oral therapy for gut GVHD after stem cell transplant
Researchers are testing an oral live Biotherapeutic Product to help the gut microbiome improve graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant patients.
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How the protein ID3 controls donor T cells that cause GVHD and fight leukemia
Researchers are looking at whether changing the activity of a protein called ID3 in donor T cells can lower graft-versus-host disease while keeping those cells able to attack leukemia after a stem cell transplant.
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.