When transfusions trigger severe red blood cell breakdown in sickle cell disease
Official title: Transfusion-driven hyperhemolysis in sickle cell disease
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11117009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to find how immune signals cause dangerous red blood cell destruction after transfusions in adults with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $815,643 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL165202-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11117009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with sickle cell disease, particularly those who have had delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions or require frequent transfusions, would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, individuals without sickle cell disease, or those whose hemolysis is from non-immune causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you have sickle cell disease, the team wants to understand why some transfusions lead to a sudden, severe loss of both donor and your own red blood cells. Researchers will examine blood samples and immune cells to see how type I interferons and activated macrophages respond when antibody-coated donor cells are present during hemolysis. The work combines lab experiments using patient-derived samples and disease models to map the chain of events that leads to ‘hyperhemolysis’ and to show how red blood cell production becomes impaired. Findings will guide ideas for tests or medicines to prevent or treat these dangerous transfusion reactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to tests or treatments that prevent or reduce life-threatening transfusion-related hemolysis in people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior clinical observations and early laboratory data (including the team's preliminary results) support an immune role in hemolysis, but targeted therapies for transfusion-driven hyperhemolysis remain largely untested in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
New York Blood Center
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: An, Xiuli — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: An, Xiuli
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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.