How Pim1 helps 'killer' CD8 T cells keep fighting long-term viral infections
Official title: Pim1 regulates metabolic adaptation of effector CD8 cells during chronic viral infection
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11230250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether the protein Pim1 helps CD8 'killer' T cells stay active and avoid exhaustion during chronic viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | November 12, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $235,359 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182804-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11230250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with chronic viral infections (for example, long-term hepatitis or HIV) or those interested in future immune-based therapies could ultimately benefit from findings from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with only short-lived (acute) infections or with non-viral conditions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific laboratory-focused research.
What this research studies
I'm curious about why immune 'killer' T cells tire out during long-term infections, and this project focuses on a protein called Pim1 that may help certain CD8 cells stay metabolically fit. The team uses laboratory models of chronic viral infection and examines different CD8 subsets to see how Pim1 affects their energy use, mitochondrial function, and long-term survival. They measure metabolic pathways like glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation and link those patterns to whether cells act as durable effectors or become exhausted. The work aims to reveal whether supporting Pim1-related pathways could keep antiviral T cells working longer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to boost T cell energy and durability to improve treatments for chronic viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that altering T cell metabolism can reverse exhaustion and improve antiviral responses, but targeting Pim1 specifically is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cui, Weiguo — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Cui, Weiguo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Amyloid and HIV: How aging with HIV shapes Alzheimer’s disease at the cellular level
Researchers are studying how aging people with HIV accumulate Alzheimer’s–related brain changes, to understand who might benefit from future therapies.
-
Placental responses to maternal viral infection shape sex-specific offspring immunity
A mother’s viral infection during pregnancy can change how her baby’s immune system develops, potentially making some babies more prone to infections after birth.
-
Gut bacteria and lung immune cells shape viral lung infections
A study explores how gut microbes affect lung immune cells and severity of respiratory viral infections to identify potential ways to reduce illness.
-
Restoring helper CD4 T cells to help control chronic viral infections
A research project tests a strategy to revive CD4 Th1 helper T cells to better control chronic viral infections like HIV and hepatitis B/C in people who need improved immune control.
-
Screening small medicines to block RSV in baby and adult airway cells
A small study tests whether certain drugs can block age-related signals in respiratory cells to stop RSV infection in infants and young children.
-
Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Researchers are studying why some people’s lungs stay damaged after severe viral infections like COVID-19 and how to stop this scarring from getting worse.
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.