Feinstein Institute researcher awarded $1.2M to continue sepsis research

MANHASSET, N.Y., Jan. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research Professor Haichao Wang, PhD, received a $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to continue his search to identify different proteins associated with sepsis, which could lead to a targeted treatment for the condition. This is the fourth NIH grant since 2002 that Dr. Wang has received for sepsis research.

Sepsis affects more than a million Americans annually ? up to 50 percent of whom die. It is a life-threatening, body-wide immune system reaction to an infection, which commonly presents symptoms such as fever, swelling, pain, fast heart rate, difficulty breathing, chills and disorientation. While recent research has pinpointed warning signs to identify and then protocols to help with the different sepsis symptoms, more understanding of the biological mechanisms is required to develop a treatment for the condition. Fluids and antibiotics are currently administered to reduce the inflammation in sepsis patients, but it remains unclear what is the root cause of inflammation.

Previous research conducted by Dr. Wang, along with Chief Scientific Officer of the Feinstein Institute, Dr. Ping Wang and Feinstein President and CEO Dr. Kevin J. Tracey  found that the protein HMGB1 released by the cells in our immune system accelerates the dysregulated inflammation associated with sepsis. In his current study, Dr. Haichao Wang believes his research team has identified a particular protein called tetranectin (TTN), which could reduce the amount of HMGB1 released in sepsis patients.

"Our work shows that TTN decreases the amount of HMGB1 released by immune cells," said Dr. Wang. "With this continued support from the NIH/NIGMS, we hope to fully understand the relationship between TTN and HMGB1 in order to develop possible therapies for sepsis."

Dr. Wang and his team will be examining the levels of TTN and HMGB1 in mice to map the different ways TTN and HMGB1 are interacting to increase or reduce the inflammation related to sepsis.

"Sepsis is a lethal and common syndrome, and the available treatments are inadequate ? research into this problem is in the national interest," said Dr. Tracey. "The NIH's continued support of Dr. Haichao Wang is evidence of the outstanding contributions he has made to understanding this deadly problem."

About the Feinstein Institute 

The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is the research arm of Northwell Health, the largest healthcare provider in New York. Home to 50 research laboratories and to clinical research throughout dozens of hospitals and outpatient facilities, the Feinstein Institute includes 4,000  researchers and staff who are making breakthroughs in molecular medicine, genetics, oncology, brain research, mental health, autoimmunity, and bioelectronic medicine ? a new field of science that has the potential to revolutionize medicine. For more information about how we empower imagination and pioneer discovery, visit FeinsteinInstitute.org

Contact: Heather E. Ball
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SOURCE Feinstein Institute for Medical Research