# Defining the cause and consequence of aging-specific platelet specification from hematopoietic stem cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ · 2022 · $546,915

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Our goal is to understand platelet (Plt) production and function upon aging. Plts play essential roles in
hemostasis, the process of preventing bleeding, and also participate in immune regulation. Aging is associated
with a dramatic increase in platelet-related disorders, including alterations in Plt numbers (thrombocytosis or
thrombocytopenia) and in Plt activity. Plts have a very short half-life and are continually produced by
hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). We have discovered that the differentiation pathways of Plt production are
different in young and old mice. Here, we propose to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind
the aging-specific differentiation path, and the consequences for Plt function and aging physiology. We
hypothesize that the aging-specific Plt pathway contributes to the dramatically increased risk for Plt-related
disorders in the elderly. Our discovery of a new, age-specific differentiation pathway provides a unique
opportunity for novel discoveries towards mitigating Plt-related disorders, including thrombosis and
cardiovascular disease, in the elderly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10399429
- **Project number:** 5R01AG062879-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ
- **Principal Investigator:** CAMILLA FORSBERG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $546,915
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10399429

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10399429, Defining the cause and consequence of aging-specific platelet specification from hematopoietic stem cells (5R01AG062879-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10399429. Licensed CC0.

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