How Hippo kinases affect the immune system and response to infections
Official title: Regulation of Innate Immunity by the Hippo Kinases
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11093528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins called Hippo kinases help control the immune system's response to bacterial infections, which could lead to better ways to treat infections and autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,671 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182688-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with autoimmune diseases or those who are immunocompromised due to genetic factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious conditions or those without any immune system involvement may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Hippo kinases in regulating the immune response, particularly how they influence cell death and survival during bacterial infections. By using animal models with specific gene knockouts, the study aims to understand how these kinases affect immune gene expression and the body's ability to fight off pathogens like Legionella pneumophila. The research employs biochemical assays to analyze the function of these kinases and their fragments in immune responses, which could lead to new insights into treating infections and autoimmune diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for enhancing immune responses against bacterial infections and improving treatments for autoimmune conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting immune pathways can lead to significant advancements in understanding and treating infections, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Pei-Chung — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Pei-Chung
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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.