A COQ6 gene change linked to worse outcomes from pneumococcal sepsis
Novel coenzyme Q6 variant reveals non-immune determinants of survival during pneumococcal sepsis
Researchers are seeing if a small change in the COQ6 gene makes some people more likely to have severe or fatal pneumococcal sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177035 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists found a specific COQ6 gene variant (called COQ6-DY) in an at-risk human group that was tied to worse disease from Streptococcus pneumoniae. To learn how it acts, they made mice carrying the same variant and created chimeric mice to separate effects of immune cells from other tissues. Surprisingly, mice with the variant in non-immune tissues were more likely to die, while swapping immune cells did not explain the worse outcomes. The team combines human genetic data with animal experiments to point to non-immune factors that might change survival in pneumococcal sepsis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include people who have had pneumococcal pneumonia or sepsis, or individuals known to carry the COQ6-DY variant who are willing to provide clinical information or biological samples.
Not a fit: Patients with sepsis caused by other pathogens or whose illness is driven only by immune overreaction may not directly benefit from this gene-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If this finding holds up, it could point to new non-immune targets for treatments or prevention that reduce deaths from pneumococcal sepsis.
How similar studies have performed: This is a novel direction—prior sepsis trials targeting immune responses have largely failed, and linking a COQ6 variant to survival is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morley, Sharon Celeste — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Morley, Sharon Celeste
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.