Targeting plasmalogen dysregulation to predict and treat sepsis
Official title: Targeting Plasmalogen Dysregulation for Sepsis Prognostication and Treatment
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11366282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing whether specific lipid markers in blood can help predict outcomes and guide treatment for sepsis in adults and children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $617,477 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL186403-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11366282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults and children with sepsis who are admitted to intensive care and have endothelial dysfunction or related organ injury may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients with sepsis may not experience a clear benefit if plasmalogen markers do not correlate with outcomes or if therapies targeting these lipids are not effective.
What this research studies
This project explores how a type of fat molecule called plasmalogens in the blood and endothelium relate to sepsis severity and organ failure. By examining plasmalogen levels in patients with sepsis, the study aims to understand how these lipids change during critical illness and whether they can be used to predict prognosis. The team will leverage prior animal and human data to examine how plasmalogen dysregulation correlates with mortality and organ injury, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. Results could inform future bedside tests and interventions for managing sepsis across age groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with sepsis could benefit from better risk stratification and new treatment approaches based on plasmalogen biology.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies in septic humans showed associations between low plasmalogen levels and mortality, supporting further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, David a. — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Ford, David a.
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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.