How immune cells spot Candida using PD-L1 in their digestion compartments
PD-L1 Signaling in Phagosomes
This project looks at how immune cells recognize Candida yeast through PD-L1 inside phagosomes to help inform better ways to treat fungal infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11301592 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When immune cells like macrophages eat Candida yeast, the yeast get broken down inside compartments called phagosomes and can reveal bits that immune receptors bind. Researchers will focus on PD-L1 (also called CD274) and work to identify the specific ligands revealed during yeast degradation and how that binding changes immune signaling. The team will use lab experiments with immune cells and Candida, biochemical binding tests, and molecular analysis to map these interactions. Findings could point to new targets for therapies or diagnostics for people with fungal infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with recurrent or invasive Candida infections or volunteers willing to donate blood or tissue samples for immunology research.
Not a fit: People without fungal infections or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to gain direct or immediate benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to boost or tune immune responses against Candida infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown PD-L1 affects immune responses broadly, but its role inside phagosomes and in binding Candida-derived ligands is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Underhill, David M. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Underhill, David M.
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.