How OAS immune proteins help protect against bacteria that live inside cells
Official title: New roles of IFN-inducible OAS proteins in innate immune defense against bacterial infections
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11249644 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether OAS immune proteins help the body's cells fight bacterial infections that live inside human cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | January 23, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176333-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249644 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recurrent or serious intracellular bacterial infections (for example tuberculosis, Salmonella, or Listeria) or immune disorders that affect bacterial defense would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People with infections caused by extracellular bacteria, viral illnesses, or conditions unrelated to bacterial immune defense are unlikely to get direct benefit from this specific work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study OAS family proteins using lab-grown human cells and mouse models to see how these proteins change the course of intracellular bacterial infections. They will compare normal and OAS-deficient animals and cells to measure bacterial survival, inflammatory signals, and levels of protective proteins like IRF1. Genetic and biochemical tests will be used to define which OAS family members help or harm host defense and to map the underlying molecular steps. The team aims to link these findings to human OAS proteins to inform future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost natural immunity or develop treatments that better control infections that hide inside cells.
How similar studies have gone: OAS proteins are well established in antiviral defense and early lab and animal work suggests some OAS members may influence bacterial infection, but their antibacterial roles remain a relatively new area of study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarkar, Saumendra N — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Sarkar, Saumendra N
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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.