How T cells adapt to stay in specific tissues for better immune response
Official title: Tissue-specific adaptions to promote localized T cell memory
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10983806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called CD8 T cells learn to stick around in different parts of the body after fighting off infections or cancer, which could help us find better ways to boost our immune memory for future battles against illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | November 8, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,900 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179952-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10983806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced acute infections or are at risk for certain cancers and autoimmune conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic infections or those who do not have a robust immune response may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how CD8 T cells, which are vital for fighting infections and cancers, adapt to specific tissues in the body to become long-lasting memory cells. By examining the changes in gene expression and behavior of these T cells, the study aims to understand how they establish themselves in tissues after an infection resolves. This could lead to insights on enhancing immune memory and improving responses to future infections or malignancies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing immune memory, potentially offering better protection against infections and cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding T cell memory, but this specific focus on tissue adaptation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldrath, Ananda W — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Goldrath, Ananda W
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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.