# Novel Strategies to Improve Blood Transfusion Practice

> **NIH NIH P01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $2,540,895

## Abstract

Project Summary
Optimizing blood cell support for specific patient groups and clinical settings is an emerging priority in
transfusion medicine. Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) require significant
transfusion support (including red blood cells, platelets, and granulocytes) because of the transplant-related
bone marrow (BM) dysfunction state. However, challenges and shortcomings still exist for modern transfusion
practices in the peri-transplant setting, limiting their clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness. Mechanisms
underlying the effect and effectiveness of blood transfusion in the peri-transplant setting are important,
understudied, and poorly understood, representing a critical gap in our biomedical knowledge. A coordinated,
multi-disciplinary P01 program project on such mechanisms is warranted, considering the medical and public
health significance of blood transfusion and cellular therapies, and will be innovative, constituting a distinct
area of investigation in the current NIH portfolio. The long-term thematic objective of this research program is
to provide more effective transfusion support for HCT recipients by better understanding the molecular and
cellular mechanisms underlying the effect and effectiveness of blood transfusion in the peri-transplant setting.
Drs. John Manis, Leslie Silberstein, and Shin-Young Park (Project 1) will elucidate the dynamic relationship
between BM niche and HSPC in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, specifically hypothesizing that insight into
how BM vascular and perivascular niches are distorted in SCD and restored by RBC transfusion shall lead to
opportunities for targeted intervention in HSC transplantation in SCD patients. Drs. Hongbo Luo and Li Chai
(Project 2) will study cell death signaling in granulocyte transfusion (GTX), specifically hypothesizing that GTX
can be improved by simultaneously targeting multiple death pathways. This study will assist us to design novel
therapeutic strategies for improving the efficacy of GTX and combating neutropenia-related infections in the
peri-transplant period. Drs Jose Cancelas and Yi Zheng (Project 3) will focus on platelet transfusion which is
commonly used to prevent or treat bleeding in thrombocytopenic patients, including HCT recipients. The goal is
to elucidate the role of RHOA/RAC1 signaling in cold storage-induced clearance of platelets and to design
novel clinical procedures (e.g. pharmacological inhibition of RHOA) for the long-term storage and application of
platelets in transfusion medicine. The 3 research projects will be bolstered by a unique Cytometry and
Imaging Core, led by Dr. Shin-Young Park, to maximize efficiency, economy, and productivity. An
Administrative Core will coordinate the activities of these projects and cores to form a cohesive whole. The
overall scientific synergy of ideas, reagents and expertise afforded by the multiple collaborations shall enable
this Program Project to advance our understand...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11074871
- **Project number:** 7P01HL158688-03
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Hongbo R Luo
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $2,540,895
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2022-08-15 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11074871

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11074871, Novel Strategies to Improve Blood Transfusion Practice (7P01HL158688-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11074871. Licensed CC0.

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