Why some blood stem cells take over with age
Official title: Molecular mechanism underlying clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11515145 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether infections and chronic inflammation help p53‑mutant blood stem cells expand and raise the risk of pre‑cancerous blood disorders in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2019 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $92,300 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL150624-07S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11515145 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People most relevant would be older adults with clonal hematopoiesis, especially those whose blood testing shows TP53 mutations or who are being monitored for MDS risk.
✕Less likely to help
People without clonal hematopoiesis or whose blood cells lack TP53 mutations are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
This project studies clonal hematopoiesis, a condition where a single mutated blood stem cell can grow to dominate blood cell production and increase cancer risk. The team focuses on TP53 (p53) mutations and how inflammatory stress from infections activates the NLRP1 inflammasome to give mutant stem and progenitor cells a competitive edge. They combine animal models, molecular assays (including ATAC‑seq and histone modification analyses), and comparisons with human clinical data to map the chain of events from inflammation to clonal expansion. The long‑term aim is to identify ways to block that pathway and prevent progression to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments or preventive strategies that stop TP53‑mutant clonal hematopoiesis from progressing to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed TP53 mutations can drive clonal expansion via EZH2 and H3K27me3 changes, while linking inflammation and the NLRP1 inflammasome to this process is a newer approach supported by animal data but with limited clinical trial evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yan — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how language and social communication work in FMR1-related autism risks
A small, patient-friendly study looks at why people with FMR1 gene changes may have pragmatic language difficulties, which are common in autism and related conditions.
-
Transformative patient navigation interventions for cancer care in diverse communities
A nationwide cancer center is testing new, community-driven ways to help people with cancer navigate care and information, especially where access is challenging.
-
Microbial Dysbiosis and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer
A doctor-researcher team at Northwestern University is studying how gut bacteria influence pancreatic cancer and its response to immunotherapy to find new ways to help patients.
-
Point-of-care AQP4 antibody test to diagnose NMO in low-resource settings
A low-cost, mail-in dried-blood-spot test is being studied to diagnose neuromyelitis optica in people who live far from big labs or in low-income countries.
-
Supercomputer models to understand how human motor signals reach muscles
A computer-based effort uses human motoneuron models to figure out the exact mix of inputs that control muscle activity.
-
Negotiation training to help Alzheimer’s caregivers communicate with care teams
A program called NegotiAge helps families caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease learn better negotiation skills to talk with doctors, insurers, and other caregivers.
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.