How helper immune cells in lymph nodes develop after vaccination
Unraveling Human T Follicular Helper Cell Development
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11258899
This project looks at how a type of immune helper cell in lymph nodes helps produce strong, long-lasting antibodies after vaccination, especially for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11258899 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will take small, ultrasound-guided needle samples from draining lymph nodes at multiple times after vaccination to see which immune cells are active. They will profile individual T follicular helper (TFH) cells and nearby B cells using single-cell RNA sequencing to track how these cells change over months. The team will link those cell changes to antibody responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The work expands earlier, smaller observations to more people to better understand how lasting antibody protection develops.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults who are receiving or recently received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and are willing to undergo serial, minimally invasive lymph node fine-needle sampling and blood draws.
Not a fit: People who are not getting the relevant vaccines, children if the study enrolls only adults, or anyone unable or unwilling to undergo lymph-node sampling are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help design vaccines or booster timing that produce stronger, longer-lasting antibody protection.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier small studies using lymph node aspiration and single-cell analysis have shown prolonged TFH and germinal center responses after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, and this project builds on and expands those findings.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MUDD, PHILIP A — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MUDD, PHILIP A
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.