Affinity maturation in lung immune tissues in autoimmune disease
Official title: Affinity maturation in ectopic lymphoid tissues
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11442367 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how immune cells in the lungs of people with autoimmune or allergic conditions refine their antibodies right where exposure happens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $223,068 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI202284-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442367 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with autoimmune or allergic lung conditions where ectopic lung lymphoid tissues may form.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not directly benefit people without allergic or autoimmune lung involvement.
What this research studies
This project looks at abnormal lymphoid tissue that forms in the lungs during chronic inflammation and how it shapes antibody responses at the site of allergen exposure. By studying lung-resident B cells and their antibody changes, researchers will map what molecular signals and cells are needed for antibodies to become higher affinity locally. The goal is to identify mechanisms that drive local germinal center-like reactions and how these reactions influence disease activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform new ways to limit harmful antibody responses in the lungs and improve treatments for allergic and autoimmune lung diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows ectopic lymphoid tissues can affect antibody responses, but the exact local affinity maturation processes are not yet clear.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Yee Ling — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Wu, Yee Ling
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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.