# Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dysfunction and Regeneration in Severe Infection

> **NIH NIH R35** · ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE · 2021 · $405,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Survivors of severe infection often exhibit prolonged immune dysfunction, physical and cognitive decline,
and significantly elevated risk of mortality. How to improve long-term outcomes of survivors of severe
infection is of major clinical significance and represents an important open question. Here, we will explore
the long-term impact of shock-like infection, using models of tick-born infection and sepsis, on hematopoietic
stem cell (HSC) function by asking: What are the long-term impacts of severe infection on hematopoiesis
and HSC function? Are HSCs primed to produce particular lineages? Can we protect HSCs in severe
disease to improve outcomes in survivors? How is the bone marrow microenvironment (or niche), where
HSCs reside, impacted by severe disease?
Sepsis is a severe systemic infection that causes vascular dysfunction and organ failure, and represents a
major cause of mortality in hospitals. Despite advances in understanding of sepsis pathophysiology,
treatments are limited, and mortality remains high. At the same time, antibiotic resistance, the spread of
vector born pathogens, and the lack of vaccines for emerging infections are important factors in the global
increase in infectious disease burden. As serious infections continue to emerge and rates of sepsis have
increased, so has the number of survivors. Here, we aim to understand the biological impact of severe,
acute infection on the function of HSCs and hematopoiesis during recovery, to provide new insight into the
decline in health after serious infection.
Continuous and balanced blood production relies on HSCs and progenitors and is essential for life. The
process of blood production generates cells of the immune system critical for host defense, as well as all
blood components necessary for oxygenation (red blood cells) and vascular hemostasis (platelets).
HSCs are positioned at the top of the blood system hierarchy, held in reserve, but can be activated by
acute inflammation to produce immune cells. What is unknown is how acute inflammatory insults impact
stem cell function in the long-term stages of recovery. In addition to immune cells, blood components
(RBCs and platelets) play underappreciated roles in host defense and are important for regeneration
and function of all tissue systems. Ultimately, we will test strategies to improve the number and function
of stem cells in survivors of severe infectious illness.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10120704
- **Project number:** 5R35GM131842-03
- **Recipient organization:** ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine C MacNamara
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $405,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10120704

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10120704, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dysfunction and Regeneration in Severe Infection (5R35GM131842-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10120704. Licensed CC0.

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