A new cell therapy to fine-tune the immune system
A modular cell therapy platform for controlling immunological tolerance
This research is developing a new type of cell therapy that could help people with autoimmune diseases by teaching their immune system to be more specific.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11130971 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our immune system usually knows the difference between harmful invaders and our own healthy cells, a process called immune tolerance. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body. Current treatments for autoimmune conditions often suppress the entire immune system, which can have unwanted side effects. This project aims to create a smarter, more targeted cell therapy that can specifically calm down the immune response only against the body's own cells, without weakening defenses against infections. We hope this new approach will lead to more precise and effective treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to patients living with various autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body.
Not a fit: Patients without autoimmune conditions or those whose conditions are not related to immune tolerance may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more targeted treatments for autoimmune diseases, reducing the need for broad immunosuppression and its associated side effects.
How similar studies have performed: While current treatments for autoimmune diseases exist, this approach aims to develop a novel class of modular immunotherapies for more antigen-specific control, representing a new direction.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reticker-Flynn, Nathan Edward — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Reticker-Flynn, Nathan Edward
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.