How Tfh13 immune cells cause dangerous high‑affinity IgE in allergies
Generation & Regulation of Tfh13 cells that drive Pathogenic IgE in Allergy
This work looks at how a specific immune cell, called Tfh13, makes high‑risk IgE antibodies that drive severe food and respiratory allergies, including in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11230220 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study Tfh13 cells, a newly identified type of helper T cell that promotes high‑affinity IgE linked to anaphylaxis. They will compare samples from people with food or respiratory allergies to samples from healthy people to see what signals produce Tfh13 cells. In the lab they will use cellular and animal models to map the pathways that control Tfh13 differentiation and function. The goal is to find steps that could be targeted to prevent the formation of pathogenic IgE.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with food or respiratory allergies, especially those with high IgE levels or a history of severe allergic reactions, would be the most relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by IgE (non‑IgE allergies or unrelated diseases) are unlikely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to prevent or reduce dangerous IgE responses and lower the risk of severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
How similar studies have performed: This builds on recent discoveries that Tfh13 cells exist in allergic patients, but using that knowledge to block pathogenic IgE is a new and still largely untested approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uthaman, Gowthaman — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Uthaman, Gowthaman
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.