Creating a new therapy using B cells to treat autoimmune diseases
Official title: Development of a B Cell Therapeutic
Funded at Versiti Wisconsin, INC. · NIH-10899708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment that uses special B cells to help your immune system be kinder to your body and reduce the chances of autoimmune diseases, and it could be helpful for many people dealing with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Versiti Wisconsin, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $678,278 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI160244-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with autoimmune diseases who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-autoimmune conditions or those who do not respond to immunological therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel adoptive cell therapy (ACT) that aims to enhance the body's immunological tolerance to prevent autoimmune diseases. By utilizing a specific subset of B cells that can promote the proliferation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), the therapy seeks to dampen harmful immune responses against the body's own tissues. The approach is designed to be cost-effective and universally applicable, potentially benefiting a wide range of autoimmune conditions. Patients participating in this research may receive a treatment that could help manage their autoimmune responses more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients suffering from various autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical trials have shown that increasing Treg numbers can be safe and effective, indicating potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Versiti Wisconsin, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dittel, Bonnie N — Versiti Wisconsin, INC.
- Study coordinator: Dittel, Bonnie N
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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.