How TB lung granulomas are organized
Functional dynamics of TB granuloma architecture
Researchers are comparing immune cells and their arrangement inside TB granulomas from people, monkeys, and mice to learn what leads to severe disease or healing for people with tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11390895 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project compares TB granuloma samples from people, rhesus macaques, and new strains of mice to find shared and differing patterns. Scientists will use high-parameter multiplex immunostaining to map many immune cell types and their exact locations inside granulomas. They will study how signals like type I interferons and interferon-gamma influence cell movement, activation, and the development of necrosis. By integrating data across species, the team aims to identify mechanisms and targets that could guide better treatments or diagnostics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with active pulmonary tuberculosis or patients who can provide lung or granuloma tissue samples during clinical care or surgery.
Not a fit: People without tuberculosis or those not able or willing to provide tissue samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or markers to prevent tissue-damaging necrosis and improve treatments for people with TB.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-system studies have taught us about immune cells in granulomas, but integrating high-parameter spatial data across humans and animal models is a newer approach with limited prior examples.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ernst, Joel D. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ernst, Joel D.
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.