Defining how macrophages fight Klebsiella in the blood
Official title: Defining macrophage defense during Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11351003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how innate immune cells called macrophages protect against Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections to help reduce sepsis mortality.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | June 11, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AI175481-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11351003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to direct patient enrollment in this grant (preclinical/animal studies).
✕Less likely to help
No immediate patient participation is expected; the study is preclinical.
What this research studies
If funded, researchers will explore how different macrophages in organs like the spleen respond to a Klebsiella infection in the blood. They will use mouse models and genetic tools (including CRISPR) to identify factors that help macrophages restrict the bacteria and prevent organ damage. The work aims to map how the bacteria interact with immune cells across body tissues during bacteremia and how this affects disease progression. The findings could reveal targets to strengthen patient defenses during bloodstream infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of macrophage defenses could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat bloodstream infections and sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows macrophages influence bacterial clearance, but the exact mechanisms in bacteremia are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holmes, Caitlyn Leigh — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Holmes, Caitlyn Leigh
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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.