How RNA helps immature B cells build antibody diversity
RNA associated mechanisms for antigen receptor gene diversification during immature B cell development
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11381965
Seeing whether certain RNA molecules help immature B cells create the variety of antibodies that protect people from infection.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11381965 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, this research looks at special RNA molecules made at the antibody gene site in immature B cells that may guide the enzymes that shuffle antibody genes (VDJ recombination). Researchers will study these RNAs and how the RNA exosome processes them using lab-grown cells, human-derived samples, and animal models, and they will manipulate RNA processing to observe effects on gene rearrangement. The team will measure changes in key enzymes (RAG, AID) and in antibody gene rearrangement using molecular and genomic assays. The work is linked to inherited B-cell immunodeficiency (THES) and aims to reveal steps that could be targeted to restore normal antibody production.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inherited B-cell disorders that cause poor antibody diversity (for example THES) or patients with unexplained antibody production defects would be the most relevant candidates for follow-up studies.
Not a fit: Patients whose illnesses are unrelated to B-cell or antibody defects, or those seeking immediate clinical therapy, are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to diagnose or treat inherited B-cell immunodeficiencies by restoring or improving antibody diversity.
How similar studies have performed: The project builds on well-established biology of RAG and AID but applies a novel focus on IgH-derived noncoding RNAs and the RNA exosome, so it is an early-stage and relatively novel approach.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BASU, UTTIYA — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: BASU, UTTIYA
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.