Understanding the immune signals behind heparin-induced HIT
Official title: Molecular Basis of the Humoral Immune Response in Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Funded at Versiti Blood Health, INC. · NIH-11332609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how the body’s immune system creates antibodies that cause a dangerous reaction to heparin, aiming to improve detection and prevention for patients who need this medication.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Blood Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $733,007 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL148120-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at risk for HIT or with suspected HIT, and patients from whom samples are collected for study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HIT or without involvement in sample-based studies would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
People who need heparin sometimes develop antibodies that can trigger dangerous blood clots. The research investigates how platelet factor 4 and heparin interact to spark B cells to produce specific antibodies, and how these antibodies relate to whether HIT becomes life-threatening. The project uses patient-derived samples and laboratory assays to identify the antibody types that are truly harmful, including those not caught by standard tests. Findings could lead to better tests and strategies to prevent severe HIT in people who require anticoagulant therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of HIT could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis and safer use of heparin for patients who need it.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work has shown ELISA+SRA+ patterns can identify pathogenic antibodies, but gaps remain in how ELISA-negative cases contribute to HIT.
Where this research is happening
-
Versiti Blood Health, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wen, Renren — Versiti Blood Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wen, Renren
Related research
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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.