How radiation harms T cell metabolism and weakens immune protection
Metabolic impairment plays a critical role in radiation-induced T cell immune dysfunction
This project looks at how past radiation exposure changes T cell energy use and makes people more likely to get serious bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314581 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are trying to understand why radiation causes long-term problems with T cells, the immune cells that help fight infections. They will use mouse models of acute radiation to follow T cell function months after exposure and measure metabolic pathways in naïve, effector, and memory T cells. The team will give bacteria to the mice to see whether irradiated animals carry higher pathogen loads and link those outcomes to specific metabolic changes in T cells. Results will be compared to existing human radiation-exposure data to guide ideas for future treatments aimed at restoring immune protection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future related trials would most likely include survivors of acute radiation exposure or patients with documented radiation-induced immune impairment.
Not a fit: People without prior significant radiation exposure or whose infections are unrelated to immune cell dysfunction are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to restore T cell metabolism and reduce infection risk in people who have had significant radiation exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown long-lasting T cell dysfunction after radiation, but metabolic-targeted treatments to reverse this effect remain largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Georgetown University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fornace, Albert J — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Fornace, Albert J
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.