Stopping inflammation after severe injury and bleeding

Inflammasome activation in trauma-hemorrhagic shock

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11322225

Looking at whether blocking a specific inflammation pathway could help people who suffer severe trauma and major blood loss.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11322225 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

If you've had a severe traumatic injury with heavy bleeding, researchers are studying how a protein in your cells called caspase-4 (and the similar caspase-11 in mice) turns on inflammation that can damage organs. They use laboratory experiments and animal models to trace this non-canonical inflammasome pathway after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. The team is testing whether preventing caspase-4/11 activation reduces inflammation, cell death, and organ injury. Most work is preclinical now, but the goal is to guide new drugs and future clinical trials for trauma patients at risk of multiple organ failure.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have experienced severe traumatic injury with large-volume blood loss or hemorrhagic shock and are at risk for multiple organ failure would be the likely candidates for related future trials.

Not a fit: Patients with minor injuries, chronic non-traumatic inflammatory conditions, or bleeding unrelated to trauma are unlikely to benefit directly from this line of research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce organ failure and improve survival after severe trauma and bleeding.

How similar studies have performed: Related inflammasome-targeting strategies have shown promise in infection and sepsis models, but applying caspase-4/11 blockade specifically to trauma-driven organ failure is a relatively new approach.

Where this research is happening

PITTSBURGH, 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: Blood Coagulation Disorders

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.