Blocking ACOD1 to calm dangerous immune overreactions in severe infections
Targeting ACOD1 to attenuate innate immune responses to lethal infections
This research looks at stopping the ACOD1 pathway to reduce harmful inflammation in people with severe Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166580 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, researchers are studying a protein called ACOD1 that can make immune cells overreact during serious bacterial infections. They will map the partner proteins that trigger ACOD1 in immune cells, test how blocking ACOD1 or its upstream activator CDK2 changes inflammation in cells and animals, and compare these results to blood samples from people who were very sick with infections. The team will also test existing drugs that inhibit CDK2 to see if they lower dangerous cytokine responses in preclinical models. Findings from patient samples will help decide whether targeting this pathway might be useful in treating people in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be hospitalized patients with severe Gram-negative bacterial infections or sepsis who could provide blood samples or be considered for future therapies targeting the ACOD1/CDK2 pathway.
Not a fit: People with mild infections, non-bacterial illnesses, or conditions not driven by innate immune overreaction are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent life‑threatening cytokine storms and improve survival in severe bacterial infections.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and animal studies, including experiments where ACOD1 was deleted or CDK2 was blocked, have reduced cytokine storms and improved survival in preclinical models, but human treatments have not yet been proven.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tang, Daolin — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tang, Daolin
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.