Age-related changes in T-cell immunity and new treatment targets
Mechanisms and novel targets of T-cell Immunity in Aging
Looking for ways to fix T-cell problems in people 65 and older to help older organ transplant patients avoid rejection, infections, and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321235 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone over 65 facing or following an organ transplant, this project looks at how aging changes the T cells that control rejection and infections. Researchers will study immune cells (including CD4, CD8, and regulatory T cells) and their energy use from older donors and transplant recipients and use lab and animal models to test treatments. They will specifically examine altered mitochondrial and glutamine metabolism in old T cells and test whether blocking those pathways improves immune balance. The goal is to identify drug targets that work better for older patients to reduce rejection and infection risks.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults age 65 or older who are awaiting or have received an organ transplant, or older adults willing to give blood or tissue samples for immune studies.
Not a fit: Younger adults under 65 not facing transplant, or people without immune-related problems, are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to treatments that reduce rejection and infections in older transplant recipients by fixing age-related T-cell defects.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by the team showed blocking glutamine metabolism in CD4+ T cells extended graft survival in older recipients, but moving metabolic targets into safe human treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tullius, Stefan Gunther — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tullius, Stefan Gunther
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.