Understanding Immune Responses to Prevent Transfusion Reactions
Examining Immune Circuits Responsible for Anamnestic RBC Alloimmunization
This research aims to understand how the body's immune system remembers past blood transfusions to prevent serious reactions in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11117163 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When patients receive blood transfusions, their immune system can sometimes create antibodies against the donor's red blood cells. If they receive another transfusion later, these 'memory' antibodies can cause a severe reaction called a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR). This project seeks to uncover the specific immune pathways and cells, like B cells and T cells, that are responsible for these memory responses. By understanding these pathways, we hope to find new ways to stop these dangerous reactions from happening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients who have previously received blood transfusions and are at risk for or have experienced delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions.
Not a fit: Patients who have never received a blood transfusion or do not have a history of alloimmunization may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or strategies to prevent life-threatening transfusion reactions in patients who have received blood transfusions before.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific immune pathways are not fully understood, previous research has identified some differences between initial and memory immune responses to transfusions.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stowell, Sean R — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stowell, Sean R
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.