How Candida albicans affects immune responses in the gut
Official title: Commensal Candida albicans primed Th17 immunity
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-10878729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a common fungus called Candida albicans affects the immune system in our gut, using mice to learn more about how it activates important immune cells that help fight infections, which could lead to better treatments for gut health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $788,565 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI168222-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10878729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with compromised immune systems who are at risk for infections related to Candida albicans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any immune system issues or those not affected by Candida albicans infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the common fungus Candida albicans interacts with the immune system in the human gut. By using a mouse model, researchers will study how C. albicans colonization leads to the activation of specific immune cells known as Th17 CD4+ T cells. These immune cells are important for protecting against infections, and understanding their behavior could help in developing new treatments for conditions related to gut health and immune response. The study aims to fill gaps in knowledge about the role of fungi in gut immunity and how they may contribute to systemic infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating infections caused by Candida albicans, especially in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding the immune response to fungal infections, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Way, Sing Sing — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Way, Sing Sing
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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.