How gut immune signals protect against Toxoplasma infection
Official title: Unravelling MyD88-dependent and independent mucosal immunity to Toxoplasma
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11091656 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project compares two gut immune signaling routes to understand protection against Toxoplasma infections, especially for people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | May 18, 2018 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $429,331 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI139628-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091656 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People at higher risk for severe Toxoplasma disease—such as organ transplant recipients, people with HIV, or others on strong immune-suppressing drugs—would be most likely to benefit from the findings.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy people with no risk factors or concern for Toxoplasma exposure may see little direct benefit from this lab-based research in the near term.
What this research studies
You should know researchers are studying the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to learn how the gut's immune system fights it. They use mouse models that lack or carry the MyD88 immune signaling adaptor to see which pathways start and shape protective responses. The team will examine specific gut cell types and how the gut microbiome changes those immune reactions. Results may point toward better vaccine ideas or other ways to prevent severe infection in people at risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new vaccine approaches or treatments to prevent severe Toxoplasma infections in people with weakened immunity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies established that MyD88 helps start anti-Toxoplasma immunity, but MyD88-independent pathways and the microbiome's role are less well understood, so this work builds on known findings and addresses novel questions.
Where this research is happening
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University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denkers, Eric Y — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Denkers, Eric Y
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.