Gene switches that drive damaging immune-related brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis
Official title: Epigenomic regulation of oxidative stress-producing innate immunity in neuroinflammation
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11235884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are mapping how gene switches in brain immune cells cause harmful oxidative stress to point toward new treatments for people with multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $242,700 |
| NIH project number | 5R00NS126707-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11235884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with multiple sclerosis who are interested in contributing to research or who might consider future clinical trials targeting immune-driven nerve damage are the relevant patient group.
✕Less likely to help
People without neuroinflammatory diseases or those with non-inflammatory neurological conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model of neuroinflammation relevant to MS and advanced epigenomic methods to map open chromatin and histone marks in microglia and infiltrating macrophages. The team will apply ATAC-seq and related assays to identify regulatory DNA regions that turn on oxidative-stress genes and compare patterns between central and peripheral immune cells. They will use CRISPR-based perturbations to test whether changing those regulatory regions reduces production of damaging reactive oxygen species. Results are intended to highlight molecular targets that could be pursued for drugs to prevent immune-driven nerve damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new molecular targets to stop immune cells from causing nerve damage in multiple sclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior epigenomic studies in immune cells have found disease-linked regulatory elements, but applying these approaches specifically to oxidative-stress-producing microglia in MS is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mendiola, Andrew S — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Mendiola, Andrew S
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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.