How mitochondrial and immune signals drive inflammation linked to Alzheimer's
Official title: NF-kappaB and Mitochondrial Signals as Positive and Negative Regulators of Inflammation
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-11457998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how damaged mitochondria and immune signaling cause inflammation that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $313,960 |
| NIH project number | 7R37AI043477-29 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer's disease or those at higher genetic risk (for example, APOE ε4 carriers) who are willing to provide blood or other biospecimens or to participate in related clinical protocols would be most relevant.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer's, those not willing to provide samples, or those unable to access the La Jolla research site are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how signals inside immune cells and mitochondria trigger inflammation that could harm the brain in Alzheimer's. They focus on how newly made mitochondrial DNA gets oxidized, cut into fragments, and leaks out to activate the NLRP3 inflammatory sensor, and they examine enzymes and channels involved such as CMPK2, Fen1, VDAC, and OGG1. The team uses lab-grown cells and animal models and connects those findings to Alzheimer's risk factors like APOE ε4. Their goal is to find the molecular steps that could be targeted to reduce harmful brain inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce brain inflammation and slow or prevent Alzheimer's progression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory and animal studies have linked NLRP3 and mitochondrial DNA to inflammation, but translating these findings into proven Alzheimer's therapies in people remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
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Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karin, Michael — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Karin, Michael
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.