A newly discovered immune receptor that guides lymphocytes to lungs and mucosal tissues
Official title: Novel Lymphocyte Chemoattractant Receptor and Ligand
Funded at Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research · NIH-11247995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a newly found receptor and its partner guide immune cells into the lungs and other mucosal organs to better understand inflammation in autoimmune conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | February 23, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $671,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI178113-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions affecting the lungs, airways, upper GI tract, genitourinary mucosa, salivary glands, or pancreas would be the most directly relevant patient groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with autoimmune diseases confined to non-mucosal organs, such as isolated joint disease, are less likely to see near-term benefit from this specific line of work.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a newly discovered receptor and its matching ligand that are found in the lungs, airways, and other mucosal organs. They will map how the receptor and ligand bind and signal using laboratory assays and structure-function experiments. The team will determine whether the receptor preferentially attracts lymphocytes versus other immune cells and will test its role in controlling immune cell entry into tissues using mouse models and tissue analyses. The work aims to reveal ways to prevent harmful immune cells from reaching specific organs and causing chronic inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to block or redirect immune cells and reduce organ-specific autoimmune inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Blocking immune cell trafficking has helped some diseases in the past, but this particular receptor-ligand pair is newly identified and has not yet been tested in patients.
Where this research is happening
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Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Butcher, Eugene C — Palo Alto Veterans Instit for Research
- Study coordinator: Butcher, Eugene C
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.