Understanding inflammation in sickle cell disease
Official title: Inflammatory Caspase Activation in Sickle Cell Disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10996446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called free heme causes inflammation in people with sickle cell disease, focusing on a protein that might lead to painful complications, and it hopes to find new ways to help manage these issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,362 |
| NIH project number | 1F30HL172590-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease who experience complications such as acute chest syndrome or chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of sickle cell disease or those who do not experience inflammatory complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how inflammation caused by free heme affects patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It focuses on a specific protein called caspase-4, which is activated by heme and contributes to inflammatory complications like acute chest syndrome and chronic pain. By studying the mechanisms of this activation, the research aims to identify potential new therapies that could better manage these serious complications. Patients with SCD may have elevated levels of inflammatory markers, and this study seeks to understand their role in disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies that significantly improve the management of complications in sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting inflammatory pathways can lead to significant improvements in managing sickle cell disease complications, suggesting that this approach may also be successful.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salgar, Suruchi — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Salgar, Suruchi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mindfulness-based Support for Pain and Sleep in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease
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How diet affects white blood cells and sickle cell disease
A study looks at how nutrition, from early life to adulthood, influences sickle cell disease by examining neutrophils and disease severity in people with SCD and in a mouse model.
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Nutrition-based plan to ease pain in sickle cell disease
A nutrition-based approach is being tested to reduce pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
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.