Commensal-specific CD8+ T cells and gut immunity in health and disease
Official title: Mechanisms of Commensal- Specific CD8+ T Cell Differentiation, Restraint and Dysregulation in Intestinal Inflammation
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11358684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how gut bacteria shape CD8+ T cells to maintain intestinal health and what goes wrong in autoimmune gut disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $886,942 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI199097-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autoimmune gut conditions or those at risk for such conditions may benefit from therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without gut autoimmune issues or without interest in microbiome-immune interactions may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how CD8+ T cells that react to friendly gut bacteria are formed and regulated in the intestinal lining, and how this balance can become disrupted in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. The project uses models and human-relevant systems to uncover signals that prime, direct, and restrain these T cells in a healthy gut. Findings could reveal new angles for therapies that support barrier integrity and prevent harmful inflammation. By understanding how commensal-specific T cells contribute to tolerance and defense, the work aims to translate insights into strategies that benefit patients with autoimmune gut disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how gut bacteria shape immune tolerance could lead to new approaches to treat or prevent inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that commensal-specific T cells influence gut immunity, with emerging evidence supporting this approach in human disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrison, Oliver James — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Harrison, Oliver James
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.