How sex differences affect immune responses in obesity and related conditions
Official title: Sex-dependent innate immune mechanisms in type 2 immunity and obesity
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11167066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight affects the immune system differently in men and women, with the goal of finding new ways to help people with obesity and type 2 diabetes feel better and fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | January 2, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $704,041 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI191470-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167066 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with obesity, particularly those experiencing complications like type 2 diabetes or infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by obesity or related metabolic disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how obesity influences the immune system, particularly focusing on the differences between male and female immune responses. It aims to understand the role of specific immune cells, such as macrophages and eosinophils, in mediating these responses and how they relate to obesity and type 2 diabetes. By studying these immune mechanisms, the research seeks to identify potential new treatments for metabolic disorders and infections caused by parasites. Patients may benefit from insights into how their sex may influence their immune response and treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments tailored to individual patients based on their sex and immune response.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding immune responses can lead to significant advancements in treatment for metabolic disorders, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nair, Meera Goh — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Nair, Meera Goh
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Understanding how maternal and infant sleep and daily rhythms influence early appetite and obesity risk
This project explores how infant sleep, circadian rhythms, and maternal-infant timing relate to early appetite patterns and the risk of obesity in the first year of life.
-
GLP-1 receptor agonists as immune targets to treat asthma in lean and obese adults
Aims to understand how GLP-1R‑agonist diabetes medicines may directly calm immune cells to reduce asthma in adults who are lean or obese.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Multicomponent lifestyle program to curb obesity and cardiometabolic risk in Samoan children
A locally designed lifestyle program aimed at preventing obesity and heart-disease risk in Samoan kids, with a focus on daily routines, healthy eating, sleep, and family support.
-
Game-based mobile app to help pregnant women with overweight/obesity manage weight in Nepal
A new app designed for pregnant women in Nepal with overweight or obesity to help manage weight gain during pregnancy and reduce weight retention after birth.
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.