Why COVID-19 causes dangerous blood clots and new treatment ideas
Molecular pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and new therapeutic approaches
This project looks at why SARS-CoV-2 leads to blood clotting problems and tests drug strategies that might prevent or reduce those clots in people with severe or prolonged COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251250 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how SARS-CoV-2 triggers clotting by examining blood vessel cells, immune pathways (including complement and neutrophil activity), and patient blood samples. They will use lab models to recreate the clotting process and test several drug approaches aimed at calming vessel inflammation and stopping excessive clot formation. The team will compare signals from acute severe cases and people with lingering symptoms to understand links to long COVID. Findings will guide which treatment ideas are most promising to move toward human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People hospitalized with severe COVID-19 who show signs of abnormal clotting or patients with persistent post-COVID symptoms linked to clotting may be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without COVID-related clotting problems or those whose symptoms are unrelated to blood clotting or vascular inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce dangerous clotting, lower the risk of organ damage and blood clots, and possibly lessen some long COVID complications.
How similar studies have performed: Standard anticoagulants have helped some hospitalized patients, but targeted therapies against endothelial, complement, or neutrophil-driven clotting are newer and have limited patient data so far.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aiolfi, Roberto — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Aiolfi, Roberto
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.