Determining how age-specific heterogeneity of human hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitors contribute to thrombotic disease upon aging

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Grant Award Details

Grant Number:
DISC0-14366
Investigator(s):
Human Stem Cell Use:
Cell Line Generation:
Award Value:
$1,336,800
Status:
Active

Grant Application Details

Application Title:

Determining how age-specific heterogeneity of human hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitors contribute to thrombotic disease upon aging

Public Abstract:
Research Objective

Our research will determine how aging of human blood stem cells leads to dramatic increases in disorders of platelets, cells that normally prevent bleeding but form harmful clots when dysregulated.

Impact

Our findings have the potential to inform prevention and mitigation strategies of bleeding and clotting disorders that contribute to significant morbidity and mortality in minorities and the elderly.

Major Proposed Activities

  • To determine the how characteristics of platelet precursor cells are altered upon human aging.
  • To determine how different pools of human platelet precursors change functionally with age.
  • To test how age-related inflammation and clinically approved drugs alter the function of human platelet precursors.
  • To determine the differences between how blood stem cells from young and aged individuals differentiate into platelet precursors.
  • To determine the effects of inflammation and pharmacological intervention on the differentiation of aged human blood stem cells into platelets and platelet precursors.
Statement of Benefit to California:
Our research will benefit California and its citizens by informing improved and personalized strategies to reduce the detrimental impact that bleeding and clotting disorders have on human health, in particular minorities and the elderly. Californians are among the millions of people who take daily platelet-modifying drugs. Understanding age-related dysregulation of platelet production by human blood stem cells will be hugely beneficial for individual health and financially impactful for society.