Understanding how bone marrow supports fibrotic remodeling in disease
Official title: Deciphering the mechanisms underlying fibrotic remodeling of the bone marrow niche
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11448877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how bone marrow supports fibrosis in blood diseases and to find new ways to help patients with conditions like myelofibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $794,042 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181158-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11448877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with myelofibrosis or other diseases where bone marrow fibrosis disrupts blood cell formation could potentially benefit in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without bone marrow fibrosis or related conditions may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic research.
What this research studies
Researchers will explore how mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow interact with blood-forming cells and how disease-related changes cause fibrosis and anemia. They will examine the role of a transcription factor called EBF1 in controlling the behavior of the niche and the production of matrix and inflammatory signals. Using both mouse and human cell systems, the team will test how changes in the niche influence normal and diseased blood cell formation. The goal is to identify targets that could be used to develop therapies that reduce fibrosis and improve blood production for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that lessen bone marrow fibrosis and improve anemia and fatigue in affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: The project builds on prior evidence that niche cells influence fibrosis and hematopoiesis, with potential for translating findings to new therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Derecka, Marta — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Derecka, Marta
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.