Award
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 5F30HL170483-03
Mechanisms of Cell-Free Hemoglobin-Mediated Injury to the Pulmonary Endothelial Glycocalyx in Sepsis
Recipient
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
Award Amount
$53,937.00
Ceiling
$53,937.00
Awarded
August 18, 2025
Identifier
5F30HL170483-03
Research project funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute to study how cell-free hemoglobin contributes to lung injury in sepsis by inducing glycocalyx degradation and endothelial dysfunction, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets.
Description
This project aims to define the role of cell-free hemoglobin (CFH) in endothelial hyperpermeability in sepsis. The hypothesis is that CFH-generated superoxide triggers glycocalyx cleavage via induction of heparanase, leading to endothelial dysfunction and organ injury. The study will use cultured human lung microvascular endothelial cells and murine models to investigate the impact of CFH and superoxide on glycocalyx degradation, endothelial barrier function, and sepsis outcomes.