3D human nerve-and-muscle models to understand polio-like enterovirus infections
Human 3D neuro-muscular assembloids to study cell tropism and host factor utilization of divergent neuropathogenic enteroviruses
This project uses lab-grown 3D human nerve and muscle tissues to learn how polio-like enteroviruses infect children and can lead to paralysis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299035 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will grow human nerve and muscle cells from stem cells into 3D mini-tissues (assembloids) that mimic parts of the developing nervous system. They will expose these assembloids to different non-polio enteroviruses (like EV-D68 and EV-A71) to see which cell types get infected and which human proteins the viruses use, including a factor called PLA2G16. The team will use genome-wide screens and molecular tests to identify host factors required for infection and compare how different viruses behave. By using human-derived 3D tissues rather than only animal models, the work aims to better reflect how these viruses act in children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be children or families affected by recent enterovirus infections or acute flaccid myelitis, or people willing to donate biological samples (for example blood or skin cells) for research-derived models.
Not a fit: People with unrelated health conditions or those unwilling to provide biological samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-based research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets for antiviral drugs or therapies that help prevent polio-like paralysis in children.
How similar studies have performed: Human organoid and assembloid approaches have successfully modeled neurological infections and revealed host factors, though using 3D neuro-muscular assembloids specifically for enteroviruses is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carette, Jan E — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Carette, Jan E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.