How aging changes B cell responses to vaccines
Impact of aging on human B cell vaccine responses
This project looks at how getting older alters B cells so vaccines may work differently for adults, especially people 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322614 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect blood and, when available, lymphoid tissue from younger and older adults over time to track B cell changes. They will compare the genes, antibodies, and growth patterns of B cells that expand with age to find which ones may limit vaccine responses. In the lab they will use a human tonsil organoid model to mimic vaccine responses and test how aged B cells behave. The goal is to find biological clues that could lead to ways to improve vaccine protection for older adults.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults, especially people 65 and older, who are willing to provide blood samples and, if applicable during medical care, lymphoid tissue, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, those unwilling or unable to give blood or tissue samples, or those seeking immediate personal clinical benefit are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to improve vaccines or treatments that boost vaccine responses in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have documented age-related changes in T cells and in mouse B cells, but applying these methods to human B cells and using a human tonsil organoid is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nicholas, Dequina Angelina — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Nicholas, Dequina Angelina
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.