How past infections change the immune response in sepsis
Official title: Using microbially-experienced mice to study the innate immune response in sepsis
Funded at Minneapolis VA Medical Center · NIH-11130973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are comparing immune reactions in mice with normal microbial exposure to standard lab mice to better understand the runaway inflammation that causes sepsis and help people with severe infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Minneapolis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2012 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX001324-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11130973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had or are at high risk for severe infection and sepsis—typically hospitalized adults or ICU patients—are the patient groups most likely to benefit from findings derived from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious causes of organ failure or conditions unrelated to infection, and most children, are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific line of preclinical mouse research.
What this research studies
This project uses mice that have been exposed to microbes in a way more similar to humans, rather than the typical germ-free lab mice, to study early sepsis responses. Scientists trigger experimental sepsis in these animals and measure innate immune signals such as TNF, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFNγ. By comparing responses in microbially-experienced versus specific-pathogen-free mice, they aim to make the animal model reflect adult human immunity more closely. The hope is that more realistic models will point to better targets to lessen harmful inflammation in early sepsis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve how well animal research predicts human sepsis and point to treatments that reduce early, dangerous inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Many past sepsis studies using standard specific-pathogen-free mice failed to translate to humans, and using infection-experienced mice is a newer approach that has shown promise for better relevance but has not yet produced proven changes in clinical care.
Where this research is happening
-
Minneapolis VA Medical Center
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Griffith, Thomas S — Minneapolis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Griffith, Thomas S
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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.