How the body coordinates local and whole-body defenses against infections
Mechanisms coordinating the local and systemic resistance to pathogens
Researchers are looking at whether immune cells send inactive pieces of a signaling protein from an infection site to other tissues so those tissues can prepare to fight bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222657 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I get an infection in one part of my body, the researchers are looking at whether immune cells there release a harmless protein piece that travels to other organs. They think that when this piece meets a matching piece made by local tissue cells, it forms a complete immune signal (IL-12) that helps those distant tissues get ready to fight bacteria. To show this, the team will follow these protein pieces in lab experiments using cells and animal models and examine how tissues respond. If this mechanism is real, it could point to ways to strengthen organ-specific defenses so infections are less likely to spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent, hard-to-control, or spreading bacterial infections or those at high risk for systemic bacterial infection would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with conditions that are purely viral, genetic, or non-infectious inflammatory diseases are unlikely to directly benefit from these bacterial-immunity findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this work could lead to new ways to prime specific organs against bacterial spread and reduce tissue damage from disseminated infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show IL-12 is important for immune defense, but the idea that its inactive subunits travel between tissues and combine locally is novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singh, Nevil John — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Singh, Nevil John
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.