How the Crk protein controls immune cell activity
The adaptor protein Crk in immune responses
Researchers are looking at blocking an activated form of the Crk protein to strengthen immune cells in people with Crk-related immune problems, including some with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and certain cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11284065 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses blood and tissue samples from people alongside lab-grown human immune cells and genetically engineered mice to study how the Crk adaptor protein controls NK and T cell behavior at the immune synapse. Scientists will use high-resolution live-cell imaging, RNA sequencing, lipid bilayers, and new small-molecule inhibitors that target phosphorylated Crk to map signaling steps. They will study samples from people with Crk haploinsufficiency (seen in some with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome) and from triple-negative breast cancer to see if blocking pCrk can revive exhausted immune responses. The work combines human-cell experiments and animal models to move findings toward possible therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome who have immune system problems, patients with triple-negative breast cancer, and healthy volunteers willing to provide blood or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People whose immune or cancer problems are unrelated to Crk signaling or who cannot provide samples or travel to study sites are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to drugs or treatments that restore NK and T cell function in people with Crk-related immune defects and potentially improve immune responses against infections and some cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory work by the team showed that Crk phosphorylation affects NK cell function and identified Crk inhibitors, but applying these inhibitors to restore exhausted immune responses in patients remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Dongfang — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Liu, Dongfang
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.