How CCR4 and CCR7 help the thymus teach T cells not to attack the body
Discriminating the contributions of CCR4 and CCR7 to thymic central tolerance
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN · NIH-11224517
This project looks at how two immune signals guide developing T cells in the thymus so they learn to ignore the body's own tissues and reduce the chance of autoimmune disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (AUSTIN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11224517 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin are studying two chemokine receptors, CCR4 and CCR7, that guide developing T cells through the thymus so they encounter self-antigens and become tolerant. The team will use laboratory experiments with immune cells, animal models, and analysis of thymic tissues to track when and where negative selection and regulatory T cell commitment happen. They plan to separate early tolerance to inflammation-associated antigens from later tolerance to tissue-restricted antigens to see which receptor controls each step. The goal is to better understand mechanisms that normally prevent autoimmunity so new prevention or treatment strategies can be developed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with autoimmune conditions or healthy volunteers willing to provide blood or tissue samples for research studies related to immune tolerance.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate therapy or those without immune-related conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases by targeting the pathways that teach T cells self-tolerance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research supports roles for CCR4 and CCR7 in guiding thymocyte movement and tolerance, but distinguishing their separate contributions to early versus late tolerance is relatively new and not yet translated into treatments.
Where this research is happening
AUSTIN, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN — AUSTIN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: EHRLICH, LAUREN ILYSE RICHIE — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
- Study coordinator: EHRLICH, LAUREN ILYSE RICHIE
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.