Understanding how blood components cause lung damage in sepsis
Official title: Cell-free hemoglobin-oxidized LDL-LOX-1 axis and microvascular hyperpermeability during sepsis
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-11158998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to understand how certain substances in the blood contribute to severe lung injury in patients with sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL166865-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant for patients who have experienced or are at risk of developing sepsis and acute lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sepsis or related acute lung conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Sepsis is a serious condition where the body's response to infection causes widespread inflammation and leaky blood vessels, leading to organ damage, especially in the lungs. When lung blood vessels become too leaky, it can cause a life-threatening condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), for which there are currently no specific treatments. This project explores how cell-free hemoglobin, released from red blood cells during sepsis, might combine with oxidized LDL (a type of 'bad' cholesterol) to damage the lining of tiny blood vessels in the lungs. By understanding this process, we hope to find new ways to protect the lungs and improve outcomes for patients with sepsis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to prevent or treat acute lung injury and ARDS in patients suffering from sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: While our group has identified cell-free hemoglobin as a driver of lung injury in sepsis, the specific role of the LOX-1 pathway in microvascular hyperpermeability during sepsis is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meegan, Jamie E — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Meegan, Jamie E
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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.