How a type of immune cell death helps keep granulomas intact
Pyroptosis maintains the integrity of a granuloma
['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11316965
This work looks at whether a form of immune cell death called pyroptosis helps granulomas control bacterial infections that affect people.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11316965 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse infection model that reliably forms granulomas to watch how immune cells behave during infection and recovery. They follow neutrophils, macrophages, and the role of caspase-1–driven pyroptosis as lesions form a necrotic core and then resolve over 7–14 days. The team combines genetic and cellular lab tools to see which cell behaviors are needed for the granuloma to sterilize the infection and restore liver tissue. Results will clarify basic granuloma biology and point toward mechanisms that might be targeted in human disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bacterial infections that produce granulomas—for example certain liver abscesses or tuberculosis-like infections—would be most relevant to the findings.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to granulomas or with noninfectious causes of tissue inflammation are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets that help the immune system clear bacterial granulomas more safely and effectively in patients.
How similar studies have performed: Pyroptosis and caspase-1 have been linked to infection responses before, but using this new mouse granuloma model to show how pyroptosis preserves granuloma structure is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
DURHAM, UNITED STATES
- DUKE UNIVERSITY — DURHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MIAO, EDWARD A — DUKE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MIAO, EDWARD A
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 below.
Conditions: Bacterial Infections