How aging changes macrophage gene switches
Transcriptional Regulators in Aging Macrophages
This project uses mouse joint immune cells and computer models to find gene 'switches' that change in macrophages as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129634 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have age-related joint problems, this work looks at the immune cells (macrophages) that live in the joint lining and how their gene control changes with age. Researchers take macrophages from mouse ankle joints and use ATAC-seq to map open regions of DNA, then apply computational modeling to predict which transcription factors and enhancers drive aging changes. The team examines how these changes could make macrophages lose normal function and promote inflammation in older tissues. Findings aim to point toward molecular targets that could help prevent or fix age-related immune dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with age-related joint inflammation or arthritis, especially older adults interested in research on immune cells, would be the most relevant group for related future studies.
Not a fit: Young, healthy individuals without age-related inflammation or those seeking immediate therapy changes are unlikely to benefit directly from this mouse-focused basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal molecular targets to prevent or treat age-related macrophage dysfunction in conditions such as arthritis.
How similar studies have performed: Related epigenomic and transcription-factor studies have shown aging-related changes in immune cells, but applying ATAC-seq and computational modeling specifically to joint macrophages is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winter, Deborah Rachelle — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Winter, Deborah Rachelle
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.