How aging affects immune cells that protect the female genital tract
The impact of aging on neutrophil-mediated protection and inflammation in the female genital mucosa
This project looks at how aging changes neutrophils — key immune cells in the vagina and cervix — in older versus younger women to help explain why older women get more urogenital infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11130906 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear about how researchers study neutrophils, an early-response immune cell that stays present in the female genital tract even as other immune cells decline with age. The team will use advanced multi-omics lab methods to identify different neutrophil subtypes and compare their antiviral and inflammatory behaviors in samples from younger and older women. They will examine how those differences might change responses to bacterial, fungal, and viral threats and to tissue injury. The goal is to find early mucosal mechanisms that could guide prevention strategies that work across ages.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult women across a range of ages — especially older women at higher risk for urogenital infections — who are willing to provide genital tract samples and/or blood.
Not a fit: Men, children, or people unwilling or unable to provide genital samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better prevention or treatment strategies that reduce urogenital infections and inflammation in older women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have reported age-related immune changes and some neutrophil dysfunction, but applying multi-omics to neutrophils in the female genital tract is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez Garcia, Marta — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez Garcia, Marta
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.