Highlighted publications – Cardeza researcher names are underlined
Wurtzel, JGT, Askari, S, Ghansah, H, Mansi, C, Whitman, JC, Lazar, S, Cooper, M, Zhao, X, Montoya, B, Ma, P, Srivastava, AK, Michael, JV, McKenzie, SE, Stalker, TJ, Goldfinger, LE. Naked modified siRNAs selectively transfect platelets and megakaryocytes for prolonged antithrombotic protection without bleeding. Nature Communications 2026, Accepted manuscript in press.
Yarman Y*, Zhao X*, Ahn H, Thomson HA, Sarkar A, Yuan T, Roberts ME, Wurtzel J, Diamond SL, Tesmer JJG, French DL, Tomaiuolo M, Turro E, Astle W, Goldfinger LE, McKenzie SE, Benovic J, Stalker TJ, Poncz M, Ma P. Understanding how a highly prevalent GRK5 polymorphism affects platelets and enhances thrombotic risk. Blood 2026. 147(16): 1873-1884. PMID: 41557909. *, co-first authors.
Michael JV, Khandelwal S, Tawk A, Lazar S, Hester CG, Hiatt TG, Arepally GM, McKenzie SE. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia immune complexes activate the inflammasome pathway in a complement-dependent manner. J. Thromb Haemost. 2026 Jun; 24(6):2130-2141. PMID: 41791654
Askari S, Mansi CD, Stalker TJ, Goldfinger LE. Nascent ADAM17 synthesis potentiates GPIbα cleavage in resting and stimulated stored platelets. Blood Vessels, Thrombosis & Hemostasis 3(3), 100183, 2026. PMID: 42662070
Lanzkron S, Coleman-Cowger VH, Thompson AA, Carroll CP, Clemons T, DeBaun M, Kanter J, Malik P, Manwani D, Pierciey FJ, Walters MC, Alai S. Cure Sickle Cell Initiative recommendations on common data elements for sickle cell disease gene therapy trials. Blood Adv. 2026 Jun 9;10(11):3960-3965. PMID: 41941692
Tomaiuolo M, Roberts ME, Severa JR, Mansi CD, Mathers BBY, Mannix A, Christensen TA, Brass LF, Sinno T, Stalker TJ. Volume electron microscopy reveals heterogeneity of the hemostatic response in veins and arteries. Blood Adv. 2026 May 12;10(9):3143-3153. PMID: 41678831
Pecker LH, Lanzkron SM. Low-dose aspirin for preventing intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia in sickle cell pregnancy. Lancet Glob Health 2026 Mar;14(3):e314-e316. PMID: 41713429
Kaur M, Gupta M, Gopal SS, Wade CE, Cardenas JC, Srivastava AK. Donor sex and platelet storage change the therapeutic effects of platelet-derived extracellular vesicles on endothelium. Blood Vessel Thromb Hemost. 2026 Feb 16;3(2):100148. PMID: 41938043
Boelig RC, Michael JV, Tawk A, Zhan T, Chan JSY, Kraft WK, McKenzie SE. Platelet protease-activated receptor 4 genotype and response to aspirin in pregnancy. Blood Vessel Thromb Hemost. 2025 Jun 30;2(3):100085. PMID: 40918740
Nigam A, Manjuprasanna VN, Naik MU, Naik UP. Platelet spreading and clot retraction are regulated by 2 distinct αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling pathways. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2025 Jan;392(1):100012. PMID: 39893014
Lazar S, Wurtzel JGT, Askari S, Cooper M, Zhao X, Ma P, Goldfinger LE. Argonaute2 modulates megakaryocyte development and sex-specific control of platelet protein expression and reactivity. Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 28;15(1):3590. PMID: 39875491
Mansi CD, Severa JR, Wilhelm JN, Marar TT, Roberts ME, Zhao X, Stalker TJ. Dual antithrombotic therapy dose-dependently alters hemostatic plug structure and function. J Thromb Haemost. 2024 Apr;22(4):1016-1023. PMID: 38142847
Wurtzel JGT, Lazar S, Askari S, Zhao X, Severa J, Ayombil F, Michael JV, Camire RM, McKenzie SE, Stalker TJ, Ma P, Goldfinger LE. Plasma growth factors maintain constitutive translation in platelets to regulate reactivity and thrombotic potential. Blood Adv. 2024 Mar 26;8(6):1550-1566. PMID: 38163324
Golla K, Yasgar A, Manjuprasanna VN, Naik MU, Baljinnyam B, Zakharov AV, Jain S, Rai G, Jadhav A, Simeonov A, Naik UP. Small-Molecule Disruptors of the Interaction between Calcium- and Integrin-Binding Protein 1 and Integrin αIIbβ3 as Novel Antiplatelet Agents. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci. 2024 May 29;7(7):1971-1982. PMID: 39022362
Munda E, Rhoades R. Clinical utility and costs of inpatient hereditary thrombophilia testing following acute VTE: A 5-Year retrospective study J Thromb Thrombolysis 2026 Feb;59(2):462-471. PMID: 41047446
Research funding awarded
R01HL178828-A1, NIH/NHLBI
Ma, Peisong (PI)
05/01/26-03/31/30
Title: GRK5 regulation of GPCR signaling in platelets
The proposed studies will 1) provide the first insight into how GRK5 regulates GPCR signaling and how GRK5 itself can be regulated in platelets, and 2) lay the groundwork for optimizing antiplatelet therapy for the nearly 2% of the US population who are homozygous for the high-risk GRK5 G-allele.
R01HL172942, NIH/NHLBI
Goldfinger, Lawrence (PI)
04/01/2026-01/31/2029
Title: Short inhibitory RNAs in platelet and megakaryocyte function.
We have established for the first time a highly novel system of non-integrative, temporally controlled, tunable gene therapeutic reprogramming of blood platelets and their parent cells, megakaryocytes, by targeted suppression of protein translation from individual mRNAs in vivo, which we have found is naturally selective for the megakaryocyte / platelet lineage without affecting other cell types. This proposal aims both to exploit, and to study, this tissue-selective gene therapeutic approach. The studies in this proposal will employ this cutting edge approach to elucidate the cellular and physiological roles and underlying mechanisms of several related pathways highly relevant to platelet physiology and disease, and to study the unique properties of platelets and megakaryocytes that support this tissue-specific gene therapeutic reprogramming.
R01HL176891, NIH/NHLBI
Stalker, Timothy (PI)
Title: Integration of platelets and coagulation to maintain hemostasis in vivo
09/05/2025-03/31/2029
The coagulation system and platelets work together as part of the normal response to vascular injury, called hemostasis, producing a plug that limits blood loss. Disruption of the hemostatic system in pathologic settings can result in many clinical problems, including excessive bleeding (e.g. hemophilia). The goal of this project is to better understand how coagulation and platelets interact to produce an optimal response to injury, and translate that understanding into improved methods to treat disorders of the hemostatic system.
R01HL173436, NIH/NHLBI
Naik, Ulhas (PI)
Srivastava, Amit (PI)
Title: Platelets as regulator of non-neurological complications of ischemic stroke
06/15/2025-03/31/2029
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke; but the damage caused by strokes is not just limited to the brain since pneumonia is the most frequent cause of death in stroke patients during post-acute recovery. In spite of evidence that the gut becomes leaky and allows for bacteria to translocate after stroke, treatments such as prophylactic antibiotic use have not decreased mortality in stroke victims. Therefore, in this proposal we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of remote organ injury and infection after stroke to help identify new targets to decrease the burden of strokes.
1R01HL177199-01A1 NIH/NHLBI
Lanzkron, Sophie MPI
Title: Hypoxemia With Sleep In Sickle Cell Anemia-Prevalence, Clinical And Cellular Impact, And Response To Therapy: A Multi-Site Proposal Using Novel Collaborative Pathways
09/1/25-6/30/2029
This multi-site study investigates how overnight oxygen drops during sleep accelerate red blood cell sickling, cellular inflammation, and cognitive decline in patients with sickle cell disease. By tracking patients across collaborative medical centers, researchers aim to determine how targeted nighttime oxygen therapies can prevent organ damage and improve overall health outcomes.
Awards and community recognition
2025 Dr. Amit Srivastava - Early Career Investigator Award for Distinguished Achievement in Biomedical Research
2025 Dr. Ruben Rhoades - Dean’s Award for Excellence in Education