Helping lung immune cells teach CD8 'killer' T cells to fight infections and cancer
Official title: Deciphering the Role of Human-Fc RI in Cross-Presentation for Optimal CD8 T-Cell Response in the Respiratory Mucosa
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11339963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether attaching vaccine proteins to a receptor on lung immune cells can strengthen CD8 'killer' T-cell responses for people at risk of respiratory infections or lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI198413-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11339963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who might benefit include those at high risk for respiratory infections or lung cancer, or patients needing vaccines that stimulate T-cell (not just antibody) immunity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe T-cell deficiencies or those who only need antibody-based protection may not benefit from an approach that aims to boost CD8 T-cell responses.
What this research studies
Researchers will attach target proteins to a small antibody fragment that specifically binds the human FcγRI receptor on certain antigen-presenting cells. Using mice engineered to carry the human FcγRI receptor, they will deliver these targeted proteins to the airway lining and track how well immune cells pick up and display the proteins (cross-presentation). They will measure whether this approach produces stronger and longer-lasting CD8 T-cell (killer T cell) responses in the respiratory mucosa compared with standard vaccine proteins. Because the antibody fragment lacks the Fc portion, this method focuses on the specific receptor without engaging other Fc receptors, helping pinpoint the mechanism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to vaccines or therapies that produce stronger lung CD8 T-cell immunity, improving protection against respiratory infections and some cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work, including the investigators' own mouse data, has shown that targeting antigens to hFcγRI can trigger CD8 T-cell responses, but human testing of this targeted cross-presentation approach is limited and remains novel.
Where this research is happening
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Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Sudeep — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Sudeep
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.