Boosting the TB vaccine to build stronger lung immune cells
Enhancing cytotoxic lymphocytes in a TB vaccine strategy
This project aims to strengthen the BCG vaccine so it creates more infection-fighting immune cells in the lungs to better protect people from tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261199 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to boost the standard BCG vaccine by giving an IL-15 agonist (N-803) to raise levels of CD8 and other infection-fighting cells, followed by a high-dose intradermal BCG and an aerosolized BCG dose to draw those cells into the lungs. They will test this “enhanced prime and pull” approach in an animal model that closely mimics human TB. The team will use PET-CT imaging, detailed immune profiling of blood and airway cells (including transcriptional and flow cytometry methods), and machine learning to compare vaccinated and control groups. After vaccination, animals will be exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis to see whether the approach reduces infection and disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ultimately, adults at risk for tuberculosis—especially people in high-exposure settings—would be the most appropriate candidates for future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People already well protected by existing BCG vaccination policies, and those who cannot receive live vaccines (such as some severely immunocompromised individuals), may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a more protective TB vaccine that generates lasting lung-resident immunity and reduces TB cases.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work showed that intravenous BCG produced strong protection in non-human primates, but combining an IL-15 agonist with intradermal plus aerosol BCG is a novel strategy that has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Flynn, Joanne L. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Flynn, Joanne 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.