How marginal-zone B cells develop and help protect against blood-borne infections
Integrative approaches defining the ontogeny, maintenance, and immune response dynamics of marginal-zone B cells
This project will map how a special spleen B cell type forms and changes with age to help adults better resist blood infections and autoimmune complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159541 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would see researchers combine lab experiments and mathematical models to track how spleen marginal-zone (MZ) B cells are born, maintained, and respond to infections over a person’s life. They will measure cell division, influx of new bone-marrow cells, cell death, and how immune challenges change the cells’ numbers and clonal diversity. The team will use patient samples, animal models, and computational mapping to build detailed developmental timelines. The results aim to explain why MZ B cell problems are linked to low IgM, higher sepsis risk, and certain autoimmune conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with histories of recurrent bloodstream infections, sepsis related to encapsulated bacteria, or autoimmune disorders tied to B cell dysfunction would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Children under 21, people without spleen- or B-cell-related immune issues, or anyone needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or treat blood-borne infections and some autoimmune problems by restoring or targeting MZ B cell function.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked MZ B cell loss to low IgM and increased sepsis risk, but combining quantitative mathematical mapping with experiments to chart MZ B cell life history is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia Univ New York Morningside — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rane, Sanket — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Rane, Sanket
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.