How Cryptococcus neoformans evades and weakens lung immune defenses
Mechanism of cryptococcal fitness, innate defense subversion, and the adaptive immune skewing in lungs
This project looks at whether blocking a sugar-making enzyme in the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans helps the lungs' immune system clear infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11109435 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring whether stopping the fungus from making the sugar trehalose makes it easier for the lungs to clear infection. They will use mouse models where the fungal TPS1 enzyme is deleted to see how lung-resident cells, recruited innate immune cells, and adaptive immune memory respond. The team will measure changes in alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and later T-cell responses in the lung after infection. Results may identify the trehalose pathway as a target for future antifungal therapies that help the body fight Cryptococcus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have or are at increased risk for cryptococcal lung infection—for example immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV, organ transplants, or undergoing cancer treatment—would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without cryptococcal infection or whose infections are already controlled by existing antifungal treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that make cryptococcal lung infections easier for patients' immune systems to clear.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies show deleting TPS1 weakens Cryptococcus and speeds clearance in mice, but translating this route into human treatments is still early and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goughenour, Kristie D — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Goughenour, Kristie D
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.