Bacterial LysM proteins that calm harmful inflammation
Dendritic cell targeting by bacterial LysM proteins to suppress inflammation
Researchers are using bacterial LysM proteins to try to calm overactive immune responses in people with chronic inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerotic heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11366148 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this project studies how a bacterial protein called p60 and related LysM-containing proteins interact with specific immune cells to turn down inflammation. The team examines how these proteins engage newly identified receptors on dendritic cells and how that leads to other immune cells to make the anti-inflammatory signal IL-10. Work uses lab-grown human and animal cells and animal models to map the steps inside cells that let p60 alter immune responses. The goal is to understand the mechanism well enough to inform future treatments that mimic this natural anti-inflammatory effect.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic inflammatory conditions—especially people with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—or those willing to donate blood or tissue samples for research would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People with active infections, severe immune deficiencies, or conditions unrelated to inflammation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to reduce harmful chronic inflammation in conditions like atherosclerosis.
How similar studies have performed: Prior published and preliminary studies from this group and others show the Listeria p60 protein can trigger IL-10 production and modulate inflammation in cells and animal models, though translating this into human treatments is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lenz, Laurel L — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Lenz, Laurel L
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.