CD8 immune cells and brain damage in Krabbe disease
Role of CD8 T cell-mediated Pathology in Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy
This project looks at whether a type of immune cell called CD8 T cells causes brain damage in people with Krabbe disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308629 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses a well-known mouse model of Krabbe disease and compares affected mice to healthy littermates to track immune cells in the brain over time. Researchers count T cells with flow cytometry and read individual cell gene activity using single-cell RNA sequencing to see what the CD8 cells are doing. They connect these mouse findings with observations from human Krabbe brain tissue to make the results more relevant to patients. The aim is to identify whether CD8-driven inflammation contributes to myelin loss and to point toward possible therapeutic targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children diagnosed with Krabbe disease (and their families) or people willing to donate brain tissue or clinical information for research would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without Krabbe disease or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to therapies that reduce immune-driven brain damage and slow or prevent progression of Krabbe disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous reports found immune cells in Krabbe brain tissue, but this detailed focus on CD8 T cells is relatively new and builds on promising animal and tissue observations.
Where this research is happening
Farmington, United States
- University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt — Farmington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crocker, Stephen J — University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt
- Study coordinator: Crocker, Stephen J
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.