Encephalitogenic stem-like T cells in MS and its disease models
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11572315 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores a specific type of brain-accumulating T cell linked to multiple sclerosis and tests new analytical tools to understand them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $657,288 |
| NIH project number | 1R56AI190188-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572315 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would include individuals with multiple sclerosis, particularly those providing brain or blood samples for research, alongside appropriate controls.
✕Less likely to help
People without MS or without consent for research participation may not benefit directly from this study.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a type of immune cell, stem-like T cells, that may drive MS by becoming disease-causing T cells in the brain and in the blood. Researchers have created a new Seqtometry tool to analyze single-cell gene activity and look for MS-associated TSTEM cells in brain tissue and blood. The study aims to map the characteristics of these cells and how they persist, with the goal of identifying new ways to diagnose or treat MS. The work will spur deeper understanding of how MS begins and progresses by linking cell behavior to disease signals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier diagnosis or new therapeutic targets for MS by pinpointing disease-driving T cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in identifying disease-associated T cells in MS, with novel tools like single-cell analyses contributing to progress.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hawiger, Daniel — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Hawiger, Daniel
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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.