Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania a Project Grant of $718,991 under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837), effective July 6, 2026, with completion targeted for March 31, 2030. This research grant funds mechanistic investigation into the role of red blood cells (RBCs) in sepsis heterogeneity, specifically examining how RBC-toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-mediated interactions with circulating free DNA (CF-DNA) influence dysregulated immune responses during sepsis. The project will deliver peer-reviewed research outputs, including experimental findings on RBC-DNA capture and delivery mechanisms, characterization of immunomodulatory RBC functions in polymicrobial sepsis models, and mechanistic insights into sepsis pathophysiology intended to inform translational therapeutic development and reduce the translational gap between preclinical discoveries and clinical interventions.

The University of Pennsylvania, a major research institution with substantial NIH portfolio engagement, will conduct this basic and translational research at its Philadelphia campus. Products deliverable through the award include scientific publications, experimental datasets, and mechanistic evidence addressing critical knowledge gaps in sepsis immunopathology. The research addresses a significant clinical need, as sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality, with poor therapeutic translation historically attributable to incomplete understanding of dysregulated host immune responses and their heterogeneity across patient populations.