GNB2 in macrophages helps fight Legionella pneumonia
Official title: The Protective Role of GNB2 in Macrophages during Legionella Pneumonia
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11368634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-scientist team will study how a protein called GNB2 helps lung immune cells in fighting Legionella pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 9, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,580,582 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181444-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Legionella infection or those with severe pneumonia involving alveolar macrophages in the future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage animal studies may not directly benefit patients until translated to human research.
What this research studies
This project looks at why Legionella infections can be deadly and how a specific protein in immune cells may boost the body’s early defense. Using mouse models with altered GNB2, researchers will observe how infection progresses and how inflammation is controlled. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that allow macrophages to clear bacteria and prevent severe illness, potentially guiding new treatments. Results could point to new targets to strengthen innate immunity in people with pneumonia from Legionella.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new approaches to boost macrophage defenses and reduce severe pneumonia from Legionella.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests macrophage pathways influence bacterial clearance, but this exact GNB2 role in Legionella is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bosmann, Markus — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Bosmann, Markus
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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.