Exploring how immune cells interact to fight tuberculosis
Official title: Understanding early macrophage-T cell interactions, SLAMF1, and immunity to TB
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10947576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how two important immune cells, macrophages and T cells, work together during a tuberculosis infection, and it’s exploring how a specific molecule called SLAMF1 helps in this communication, with the goal of finding better ways to boost the immune response against TB for improved treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $772,420 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI184568-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10947576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are at risk of tuberculosis infection or have been diagnosed with TB.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for tuberculosis or those who have already received effective treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between macrophages and T cells in the context of tuberculosis (TB) infection. It focuses on understanding how these immune cells communicate and how a specific molecule, SLAMF1, plays a role in this process. By studying these interactions, the research aims to identify ways to enhance the immune response against TB, which could lead to better treatment strategies. The approach includes both animal models and laboratory experiments to observe these cellular interactions in detail.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing immunity against tuberculosis, potentially reducing the disease's impact.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding immune interactions in TB, but this specific approach focusing on SLAMF1 is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Philips, Jennifer a — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Philips, Jennifer a
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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.