Understanding Leaky Blood Vessels in Sepsis
Purinergic Regulation of Veinous Endothelial Permeability
This research explores how blood vessels become leaky during severe infections like sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093968 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Sepsis is a severe condition caused by the body's overwhelming response to an infection, leading to more hospital deaths than any other condition in the United States, and currently lacks specific treatments. A key problem in sepsis is that blood vessels become leaky, especially in the veins, allowing fluids to escape and causing organ damage. This project aims to understand the specific ways that vein cells respond to inflammation and become leaky, focusing on a communication pathway called purinergic signaling and a protein called pannexin 1. By uncovering these detailed mechanisms, we hope to find new ways to protect blood vessels during severe infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients experiencing severe infections, particularly those leading to sepsis and related complications like leaky blood vessels, are the ultimate beneficiaries of this foundational research.
Not a fit: Patients without conditions that cause widespread inflammation and leaky blood vessels, such as sepsis, would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targeted treatments that prevent blood vessels from leaking during sepsis, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: While purinergic signaling is known to affect blood vessel leakiness, the specific cellular pathway being explored in this project, particularly involving pannexin 1 in venous endothelium during inflammation, is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Isakson, Brant E — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Isakson, Brant E
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.