How long-lived antibody-producing cells form and survive in the bone marrow and spleen
Molecular Mechanisms of Human Long-lived Plasma Cell Generation in the Bone Marrow and Spleen
This research looks at how the body makes and keeps long-lived antibody-producing cells in the bone marrow and spleen to help explain lasting vaccine protection and immune memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11249974 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will study immune cells taken from blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and when available, spleen tissue to see how early antibody-secreting cells mature into long-lived plasma cells. They will examine molecular signals, including STAT3 and CD74 pathways, that help these cells survive. The team will compare the bone marrow niche with possible splenic niches to find where long-lived cells live and what they need to persist. Laboratory analyses will use human-derived samples and molecular techniques to trace cell development and survival.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) who can donate blood and, where appropriate, agree to bone marrow aspirates or provide leftover surgical spleen or lymph node tissue, including people with or without autoimmune disease, would be suitable contributors.
Not a fit: Children, people unwilling or unable to give tissue or bone marrow samples, and those not meeting sample-collection criteria are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to make vaccines that last longer and to target harmful long-lived plasma cells in autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous human and animal studies support the bone marrow as a reservoir for long-lived plasma cells, but the detailed roles of STAT3 and CD74 in human plasma cell maturation are relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Frances Eun-Hyung — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Frances Eun-Hyung
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.