Brain immune cells in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome using patient stem cells
Leveraging human iPSC technology to understand the role of neuroinflammation in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
This project uses stem cells made from people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome to learn whether brain immune cells drive inflammation and psychiatric symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312579 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect cells from people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and convert them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They will grow those iPSCs into microglia, the brain's immune cells, and compare how these cells behave versus cells from people without the deletion. The team will look at inflammatory signals, how microglia prune synapses during adolescent-like stages, and links to changes associated with psychosis. Results may point to biological steps that could be targeted in future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with a confirmed 22q11.2 deletion who can provide a tissue sample (for example blood or a small skin biopsy) and agree to research use of their samples and data.
Not a fit: People without the 22q11.2 deletion or those who cannot or will not provide samples or clinical information are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal immune-related causes of psychiatric symptoms in 22qDS and point to new ways to prevent or reduce psychosis.
How similar studies have performed: Related studies using patient iPSCs to model brain cells have produced useful biological insights, but applying patient-derived microglia to explain 22qDS-related psychosis is relatively new and still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wen, Zhexing — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Wen, Zhexing
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.