Cell-surface sugars that guide the immune system
The Heparan Sulfate Landscape in Complement Regulation
This project looks at how differences in a sugar coating called heparan sulfate on cells influence whether the immune complement system attacks tissues, which matters for conditions like age-related macular degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259517 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a complement-related condition, this work will map patterns of a sugar called heparan sulfate that sits on cells and test how complement proteins such as Factor H and related proteins bind to those sugars. The team will use lab-grown cells, tissue samples, biochemical binding tests, imaging, and animal models to see which sugar patterns protect tissue and which promote immune activation. Researchers aim to identify specific heparan sulfate signatures that change how the complement cascade behaves at tissue surfaces. Findings could point to targets for future tests or treatments to limit complement-driven tissue damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with complement-mediated conditions (for example, age-related macular degeneration or other diseases linked to abnormal complement activation) who can provide tissue samples or participate in related clinical studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose illnesses are not driven by complement activity or by cell-surface sugar interactions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new targets or biomarkers to prevent or reduce immune complement–driven tissue damage and inform future therapies for diseases like age-related macular degeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that block parts of the complement system have helped some patients, but detailed mapping of heparan sulfate patterns and their effects on Factor H and related proteins is relatively new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Esko, Jeffrey D — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Esko, Jeffrey D
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.