ACE's role in immune cell energy and infection-fighting
ACE and myeloid cell metabolism
This work looks at whether increasing ACE in immune cells helps them make more energy and fight infections better in people and mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299001 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be hearing about research that examines how the enzyme ACE changes the fuel use of myeloid immune cells (like neutrophils and macrophages) and how that affects their ability to kill bacteria. In mice, researchers increase ACE in these cells genetically to see if it raises ATP, boosts oxidative phosphorylation, and improves both innate and adaptive immune responses. They compare those animal results with human cells and blood samples and also test how ACE inhibitor drugs change neutrophil function. Methods include metabolic measurements, mass spectrometry for ATP, and infection models to link ACE activity to immune performance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults taking ACE inhibitor medications or people with infections or immune-related concerns who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples for research.
Not a fit: People without immune or infection issues, or those not exposed to ACE-related treatments, may not receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to ways to boost immune cell energy to improve infection control and guide safer use of ACE inhibitor medicines.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown ACE inhibitors can reduce neutrophil antibacterial responses, but increasing ACE to raise immune cell ATP and function is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Kenneth E — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Kenneth 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.