Gut-immune links in autoimmune disease via Tfh cells
Official title: Tfh cells: linking the gut microbiota to a gut-distal autoimmune disease
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11367077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how certain gut bacteria-related immune cells (Tfh17) may drive autoimmune diseases like RA and lupus.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2013 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $754,023 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI107117-11A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults with autoimmune diseases such as RA or lupus whose doctors are exploring gut-immune connections, or volunteers providing biological samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without autoimmune diseases or those not involved in gut-immune studies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how Tfh17 cells that originate in the gut might travel to other parts of the body and contribute to arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Using mouse models and data from human patients, researchers will map where these cells come from, how they behave, and how interactions with gut microbes influence disease severity. The goal is to identify key steps in this gut-to-body signaling that could become targets for new treatments. The work connects gut biology, immune cell behavior, and autoimmune disease outcomes to inform future therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new targets to treat autoimmune diseases by interrupting gut-immune cell pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked gut-derived Tfh-like cells to disease activity, but the exact mechanisms and translational relevance remain to be confirmed.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Hsin-Jung Joyce — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Wu, Hsin-Jung Joyce
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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.