How interferon-responsive brain immune cells shape early brain development
Physiologic roles of Type I interferon responsive microglia in brain development
This work looks at whether a specific kind of brain immune cell guided by Type I interferon helps shape early brain circuits that matter for conditions like autism and other developmental brain problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, researchers are using mouse models to study a rare subset of microglia (brain immune cells) that respond to Type I interferon and appear to engulf whole neurons during early development. They remove the interferon receptor in these cells and use imaging, a whisker-deprivation model, and molecular markers to watch how microglia interact with and clear neurons as circuits mature. The team measures signs of neuronal damage and altered microglial shape when interferon signaling is missing. Although the experiments are done in mice at UCSF, the goal is to better understand processes that could underlie autism, schizophrenia, or problems after early brain injury in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This grant does not enroll people—research is preclinical in mice—so there is no opportunity for patient participation at this time.
Not a fit: Patients with established or chronic neurological damage are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic animal research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or support developing brain circuits in children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders or early brain injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal work supports a role for microglia in shaping brain circuits, but the specific role of Type I interferon-responsive microglia engulfing whole neurons is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Molofsky, Anna V — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Molofsky, Anna V
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.