Uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhagic shock (HS) is the main cause of death in Americans younger than age 44 and accounts for nearly one-third of all deaths following severe traumatic injury. Researchers at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research have been awarded a five-year, $2.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to better understand HS and how it can lead to increased infection and sepsis. Led by Ping Wang, MD, professor & chief scientific officer at the Feinstein Institutes, new studies will explore the molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic drug targets for those experiencing HS and its related complications.   

Car accidents, military traumas and surgical complications are examples of wounds that can lead to HS. After an injury, HS occurs and the body releases extracellular cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (eCIRP). This damage-associated molecular pattern promotes the excess formation of red blood cells, leading to acute lung injury (ALI) mortality. By interrupting eCIRP, scientists hypothesize they might be able to stop the damaging release of inflammatory proteins known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to prevent ALI and death.  

“Hemorrhagic shock, sepsis and acute lung injury could be a concern of the past if it is better understood how the body reacts to trauma and bleeding-induced incidences,” said Dr. Wang. “By observing the body’s molecular mechanisms, there’s a potential to discover interventions to improve the chance of survival for patients.”