Granulomas in tuberculous lymph node disease: how immune cells organize to fight TB
Official title: Cellular and molecular architecture of granulomas in human tuberculous lymphadenitis
Funded at Institut Pasteur de Tunis · NIH-11326694 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how immune cells organize inside granulomas in tuberculous lymphadenitis to uncover clues for better diagnosis and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Institut Pasteur de Tunis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tunis, Tunisia) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI169526-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326694 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with tuberculous lymphadenitis or related TB conditions who are undergoing biopsy or tissue sampling may be relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy volunteers or people without TB are unlikely to benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a common form of TB outside the lungs, and this project uses samples from patients to map the cellular makeup of granulomas. By combining single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial technologies, the study aims to reveal which immune cells and signals shape the granuloma environment. The findings could identify biomarkers of disease and explain how T cells control the infection within lymph nodes. The collaboration between Institut Pasteur de Tunis and UCLA brings together expertise to translate human tissue observations into potential clinical insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new biomarkers and targets to improve diagnosis and therapies for TB affecting lymph nodes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in TB have shown that granuloma biology can reveal important immune mechanisms, supporting this approach as promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Institut Pasteur de Tunis
Tunis, Tunisia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benabdessalem, Chaouki — Institut Pasteur de Tunis
- Study coordinator: Benabdessalem, Chaouki
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.