How antibodies protect against Shigella in children and adults
Functional profiling of OSP-specific and other antibodies during shigella infection
This project measures different antibody responses in children and adults exposed to Shigella to find which immune actions protect against severe diarrhea.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11215262 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and other participants — mainly children and their household members in a Dhaka neighborhood — give blood samples when someone gets sick and at set times afterward. Scientists measure antibodies against the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) and other Shigella antigens and test how well those antibodies trigger complement and help immune cells clear bacteria. They compare antibody amounts and detailed functional features across ages, focusing on why young children may not be protected by some vaccines. The goal is to link specific antibody properties with protection so future vaccines can be designed to produce the right kinds of antibodies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young children (especially under five) and their household contacts living in the Dhaka informal settlement where the project is enrolling participants.
Not a fit: People without recent exposure to Shigella, those with other causes of diarrhea, or individuals living outside the enrollment area are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could guide vaccines that make the kinds of antibodies that protect young children from Shigella.
How similar studies have performed: Previous vaccines and studies have shown OSP antibodies protect older children and adults and other infections have linked antibody functional traits to protection, but young children remain harder to protect and this precise functional profiling is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryan, Edward T. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ryan, Edward T.
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.