Antibody-boosted immune responses in Chagas disease
Official title: Antibody-secreting Cells in the Outcome of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection
Funded at National Research Council of Argentina · NIH-11326701 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in people with Chagas disease examines how antibody-producing B cells influence infection and disease outcome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Research Council of Argentina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cordoba, Argentina) |
| Project start | May 1, 2015 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $133,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI116432-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326701 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Chagas disease or at risk of infection, and those providing blood/tissue samples for immunological studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the study's clinical samples or those not contributing to immune analyses may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant investigates how antibody-secreting cells shape the body's response to Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. By looking at how B cells and antibodies respond during early infection, scientists hope to identify mechanisms that lead to either control of the parasite or tissue damage. The work involves studying immune signals, B cell activation, and related factors in an animal model and human samples to connect immune responses with disease progression. The findings could guide the development of new therapies that support protective antibody responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform new antibody-based therapies or vaccines to reduce illness from Chagas disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that specific antibody responses correlate with disease outcomes in Chagas disease, but this work explores the precise role of antibody-secreting cells in pathogenesis.
Where this research is happening
-
National Research Council of Argentina
Cordoba, Argentina Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gruppi, Adriana — National Research Council of Argentina
- Study coordinator: Gruppi, Adriana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How the immune system protects tissues during Chagas disease
This work explores how key immune cells fight the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and help keep organs healthy in people with Chagas disease.
-
Blocking signals that help the Chagas parasite survive in the heart
This project looks at whether stopping the signals that turn injury-related ATP into immune-suppressing adenosine could help people with Chagas-related heart disease.
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Understanding immune responses in Chagas disease
This study looks at how the immune system fights Chagas disease and focuses on a type of immune cell called CD8+ T cells, hoping to find ways to improve treatments for patients by understanding how these cells work and what challenges they face.
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Investigating how purinergic signaling affects Chagas disease
This study is looking at how the immune system and inflammation affect Chagas disease, especially how certain molecules might influence heart problems in patients, with the goal of finding new ways to help improve treatment for those dealing with this condition.
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.