Sirtuin-targeted approaches to help immune recovery after sepsis

Immune Function in Sepsis: Role of Sirtuin

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11290342

Looking at treatments that target sirtuin proteins to help people recovering from sepsis whose immune systems swing between too much and too little inflammation.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11290342 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will examine blood white cells and molecular markers to determine whether a sepsis patient's immune system is in a high-inflammation or low-inflammation phase. They will develop a rapid laboratory assay based on leukocyte adhesion and other biomarkers to identify these phases. In parallel, lab and preclinical work will study how sirtuin proteins control the immune switch and test treatments that modify sirtuin activity in a phase-specific way. The overall aim is to match treatments to a patient’s immune phase to prevent chronic critical illness and reduce secondary infections and long-term death.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults hospitalized with sepsis or septic shock, especially those at risk of developing chronic critical illness, would be the ideal candidates for related clinical work or sample donation.

Not a fit: People without sepsis or whose problems are not driven by immune-phase changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could create a simple blood-based test and tailored sirtuin-directed therapies that reduce long-term infections and deaths after sepsis.

How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal and laboratory studies suggest sirtuins influence inflammation and leukocyte behavior, but phase-specific sirtuin therapies in humans remain largely untested.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.