Stopping harmful immune 'NET' traps after head injury
Official title: Neutrophil extracellular traps and associated pathogenesis in TBI: a novel peptide therapeutic strategy
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11467934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a new peptide treatment that aims to stop immune-cell 'NET' traps from worsening injury and help people recover after a traumatic brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | March 6, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $368,750 |
| NIH project number | 7R01NS133233-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11467934 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have recently suffered a traumatic brain injury and whose condition involves inflammation and blood–brain barrier damage would be the most relevant candidates for related future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-traumatic neurological conditions, long-remote/chronic stable head injuries, or injuries not driven by neutrophil-related inflammation are less likely to benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are exploring why white blood cells called neutrophils release sticky DNA webs (NETs) that can worsen damage after a head injury. The team will use lab and animal experiments to test a peptide (PAD4 antagonistic peptide, PAP) that blocks the enzyme needed for NET formation. They will look at whether blocking NETs reduces blood vessel clotting, protects the blood-brain barrier, encourages new vessel growth, and improves recovery of behavior and function. Most work is preclinical in the lab and in animal models, but findings could point to treatments aimed at reducing inflammation after traumatic brain injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce harmful inflammation and clotting after brain injury and improve recovery of blood vessels and brain function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical work links NETs and PAD4 to inflammation and clotting and shows promising results in animal models, but this specific peptide therapy is novel and has not yet been proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muneer, Mohammed Abdul — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Muneer, Mohammed Abdul
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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.