How BATF controls natural killer (NK) cell growth and activity
BATF as an inducible regulator of natural killer cell expansion and effector function
The team will test whether changing levels of a gene called BATF can help natural killer (NK) cells grow and work better to fight viral infections and tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266227 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers will change BATF levels in immune cells to see how NK cells mature, multiply, survive, and kill targets. They will look at NK cell responses in lab models of viral infection and cancer and measure how well NK cells expand and control disease. The team will compare what happens when BATF is increased versus when it is reduced to identify which changes help NK cells most. The findings are meant to reveal basic mechanisms that could guide future treatments that boost NK cell activity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future clinical work would include people with metastatic solid tumors, leukemia, or certain viral infections where NK cells play an important role.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to NK cell activity, such as many non-immune genetic disorders, are unlikely to benefit from BATF-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost NK cells as therapies against cancers and serious viral infections.
How similar studies have performed: Other approaches that boost NK cells or remove immune checkpoints have shown promise in some cancers and infections, but directly targeting BATF is a novel angle not yet proven in people.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kee, Barbara L. — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kee, Barbara L.
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.