How immune cells and metabolism respond to drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the lungs
Understanding the immunometabolic response to Klebsiella pneumonia infection
This project looks at how carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the lungs changes metabolism and immune cells in ways that may let the bacteria persist.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11362212 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (ST258) that cause serious lung infections, studying how the bacteria change local nutrient use and cellular metabolism. They will measure glucose, glutamine, and fatty acid pathways and how these shifts drive immune cells, especially monocytes, toward an immunosuppressive state. Work will combine laboratory models and analyses of infection samples to track metabolic signals, oxidative phosphorylation, and reactive oxygen species linked to immune suppression. The team aims to link these metabolic changes to the failure to clear chronic or ventilator-associated lung infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with or at high risk for pulmonary infections caused by carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia patients or those with recent confirmed ST258 infection.
Not a fit: People with non-Klebsiella bacterial infections, mild outpatient respiratory infections, or infections from hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strains may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new host-directed treatments that restore immune function and help clear drug-resistant K. pneumoniae lung infections.
How similar studies have performed: Related approaches targeting immune cell metabolism have shown promise in cancer and some infections, but applying immunometabolic targeting to drug-resistant K. pneumoniae lung infections is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wong Fok Lung, Tania — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Wong Fok Lung, Tania
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.