Understanding Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
The Immunobiology of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
This project aims to better understand and diagnose a serious blood condition called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which can occur after receiving heparin medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Blood Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious immune reaction where antibodies mistakenly attack platelets, leading to low platelet counts and dangerous blood clots. Current diagnostic tests for HIT are often complex and can lead to misdiagnosis, causing either delayed treatment for actual HIT or unnecessary treatment for those who don't have it. Our team is working to uncover the exact differences between antibodies that cause HIT and those that don't, which is key to developing better tests. We have made progress by creating specific antibodies from HIT patients, which will help us learn more about how the condition develops. This work will help us create a faster and more accurate way to identify HIT.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have received heparin and are suspected of having heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or those who have previously been diagnosed with HIT, would be ideal candidates for future related clinical efforts.
Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to heparin or do not have symptoms related to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a faster and more accurate diagnostic test for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, preventing both dangerous delays in treatment and unnecessary exposure to strong medications.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon a recent breakthrough in cloning specific antibodies from HIT patients, which is a novel approach to understanding the condition.
Where this research is happening
Milwaukee, United States
- Versiti Blood Health, INC. — Milwaukee, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wen, Renren — Versiti Blood Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wen, Renren
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 below.