Finding double-stranded RNAs that trigger harmful immune responses
Systematic identification and characterization of immunogenic double-stranded RNAs
['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11234242
This project seeks to identify the cell RNAs that wrongly activate antiviral immune defenses in people with autoimmune conditions like Aicardi–Goutières syndrome.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11234242 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will search cell and tissue samples to find double-stranded RNAs that are mistakenly recognized as viral and activate the MDA5 antiviral pathway. They will study how the ADAR1 enzyme normally edits these RNAs to mark them as "self" and how loss of that editing leads to inflammation, using cell experiments, animal models, and molecular analyses. The team will compare RNAs from healthy and disease-relevant samples, and examine human disease mutations linked to ADAR1 or MDA5. The goal is to map the specific immunogenic RNAs and use that knowledge to guide future diagnostics or targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with Aicardi–Goutières syndrome or other autoimmune conditions tied to ADAR1 or MDA5 dysfunction, or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples for molecular study.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to the ADAR1–MDA5 pathway or those needing immediate clinical therapy may not directly benefit from this molecular-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal molecular targets to prevent or treat inappropriate immune activation in certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown ADAR1 editing prevents MDA5 activation and that mutations in ADAR1 or MDA5 cause disease, but systematically identifying the specific immunogenic RNAs is a newer and less-tested objective.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, JIN BILLY — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LI, JIN BILLY
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 below.
Conditions: Aicardi Goutieres syndrome, Autoimmune Diseases