Glucose and amino acid transport as targets to boost CF immune responses
Official title: Glucose and glutamine transport: novel targets in cystic fibrosis immune responses
Funded at National Jewish Health · NIH-11357262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how glucose and amino acid transport in immune cells may be linked to better outcomes for adults with cystic fibrosis who still have lung infections despite standard therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Jewish Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $164,350 |
| NIH project number | 1R03AI199486-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cystic fibrosis who are experiencing pulmonary exacerbations or relevant immune/metabolic profiles and who could contribute samples or participate in related analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without CF or those not experiencing relevant immune or metabolic changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
In adults with CF, even with highly effective CFTR modulators, pulmonary exacerbations and chronic infections remain a problem. The researchers plan to study how CFTR affects the movement of glucose and amino acids into immune cells, and how this influences T cell function and energy production. They will build on preliminary findings showing changes in specific transporters and metabolic pathways after ETI therapy, using human samples and single-cell analyses. The goal is to identify new metabolic targets that could help reduce infections and improve lung health in CF patients who are not fully protected by current treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new metabolic targets that enhance immune defenses and reduce lung flare-ups in people with cystic fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked T cell metabolism to immune responses and responder status to CFTR modulators, supporting a potential for impactful findings.
Where this research is happening
-
National Jewish Health
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saavedra, Milene Tatari — National Jewish Health
- Study coordinator: Saavedra, Milene Tatari
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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.