How the amino acid hypusine supports immune cells that live in our tissues
The Role of the Amino Acid Hypusine in the Maintenance and Function of Tissue-Resident Macrophages
This work looks at whether the amino acid hypusine helps tissue-resident macrophages stay healthy and do their jobs in adults' tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291233 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how hypusine, a product of polyamine metabolism, affects macrophages that live long-term in different body tissues. They will use laboratory-grown cells, animal models, and analysis of immune cells from tissues to track how hypusine influences cell survival, identity, and function. The team will compare embryonic-derived and bone marrow–derived macrophages to identify common factors that maintain these cells over time. Results will aim to reveal molecular mechanisms that keep tissue immunity balanced or that go wrong in disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions involving tissue macrophages — for example chronic lung inflammation, certain infections, or wounds that do not heal — could be candidates for future related clinical studies or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to tissue immune function, such as purely structural orthopedic problems or genetic disorders without immune involvement, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal targets to boost protective tissue immunity or reduce damaging inflammation in conditions like infections, lung disease, or impaired healing.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have already linked hypusine and polyamine metabolism to immune cell behavior, but applying this to tissue-resident macrophages across organs is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pearce, Erika L — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Pearce, Erika L
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.