A vaccine approach to train liver immune cells to fight Salmonella
Vaccine induction of Salmonella-specific Th1 memory cells
A vaccine approach that aims to train liver immune cells to protect people, especially young children in areas where Salmonella causes serious infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11199654 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on which immune memory cells in the liver best protect against systemic Salmonella infections. They found liver tissue-resident CD4 T cells that express more IL-18R are more protective than similar cells in the gut. The team will test whether IL-18R helps these cells respond quickly without direct recognition of the bacteria and whether mRNA nanoparticles can create these protective liver cells in vaccinated mice. If the approach works in animals, it could guide vaccines designed to prevent invasive Salmonella in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People at risk for invasive Salmonella infection—for example young children or individuals living in regions with high typhoid or enteric fever rates—would be the population most likely to benefit from future vaccines informed by this work.
Not a fit: People with infections unrelated to Salmonella or those with serious immune deficiencies that prevent vaccine responses are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide vaccines that produce stronger liver-based immune memory and lower the risk of severe systemic Salmonella infections.
How similar studies have performed: mRNA vaccines have worked very well for viruses and animal studies support Th1 memory in protection against Salmonella, but using mRNA nanoparticles to make liver-resident bacterial immunity is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcsorley, Stephen J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Mcsorley, Stephen J
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.