How interferon helps human cells fight bacteria that invade inside cells
Interferon-inducible cell-autonomous immunity to cytosolic bacterial pathogens
This research looks at how interferon-driven proteins help human cells detect and clear Gram-negative bacteria that hide inside cells, which could help people with intracellular infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231740 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can think of your cells as having their own built-in defenses that turn on when told to by immune signals like interferon-gamma. Scientists at Duke are studying a protein called GBP1 that sticks to the outer surface of some Gram-negative bacteria that get into the cell and forms a coat around them. The team will use human epithelial cells, molecular tools, microscopy, and biochemical tests to find other proteins that work with GBP1 to actually kill or stop the bacteria. Learning how these cell-intrinsic defenses work could point to new ways to boost them in people who get these infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at risk for intracellular Gram-negative bacterial infections (for example certain forms of bacterial dysentery or other invasive Gram-negative infections) would be most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People with non-infectious conditions or infections caused solely by viruses or extracellular bacteria are less likely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new targets to boost natural cell-based defenses or guide therapies against intracellular Gram-negative bacterial infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown GBP1 coats invading Gram-negative bacteria but does not kill them alone, so this work builds on established findings to search for the missing co-factors.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coers, Joern — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Coers, Joern
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.