How macrophages detect danger signals and calcium
Official title: Probing macrophage cell nucleotide sensing and calcium signaling through computation
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11312684 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are building computer models to show how macrophages (a type of immune cell) react to ATP and calcium, which can drive inflammation in conditions like cancer and sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $374,836 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM148284-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11312684 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with chronic inflammatory conditions, cancer-associated inflammation, or sepsis could be most relevant as sample donors or future trial candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose illnesses are unrelated to macrophage-driven inflammation are unlikely to see direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project uses detailed computer models to simulate how ATP, a 'danger signal', and calcium trigger responses in macrophages. The team combines molecular-level data about P2X receptor subtypes (like P2X4 and P2X7), calcium-sensing proteins, and post-translational modifications to predict when cells release inflammatory molecules such as cytokines and reactive oxygen species. By linking protein changes to cell behavior across multiple scales, the models aim to explain why the same receptors help resting cells perform phagocytosis and migration but drive inflammation in activated cells. Although mostly computational, the work is tied to human disease biology and could guide future lab studies, sample collection, or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to reduce harmful chronic inflammation in cancer, heart disease, and sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: Past experimental studies have clarified parts of P2X and calcium signaling, but integrating these findings into multi-scale computational models is a relatively new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kekenes-Huskey, Peter Michael — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kekenes-Huskey, Peter Michael
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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.