How Legionella bacteria alter lung immune cells to survive
Official title: Role of epigenetic changes in intracellular survival and replication of Legionell pneumophila
Funded at Western Kentucky University · NIH-11180300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how Legionella bacteria change gene activity inside lung immune cells, which could help people with Legionnaires' disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western Kentucky University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bowling Green, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $177,183 |
| NIH project number | 5R16AI177410-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180300 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for any future patient-facing work would be people affected by Legionnaires' disease or individuals willing to donate lung-related samples for research.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly because this is laboratory-based basic research rather than a therapy trial.
What this research studies
The team is focusing on small Legionella proteins called nucleomodulins that can enter the nucleus of alveolar macrophages and change gene activity. They will use tagged bacterial proteins, cell models (including lung macrophages and mouse cells), and molecular assays to map where these effectors go and what epigenetic marks they change. The lab will track localization with GFP tags and measure changes in gene expression and biochemical pathways that let the bacteria survive and replicate. Understanding these steps could point to new ways to stop the bacteria from hiding inside lung cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets for new treatments or diagnostics to prevent or better treat Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other researchers have shown that some bacteria use nucleomodulins to alter host gene expression, but applying this concept specifically to Legionella's nuclear effectors is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banga, Simran — Western Kentucky University
- Study coordinator: Banga, Simran
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.