How the fat-making enzyme ACC affects inflammation and infection recovery
Acetyl CoA Carboxylase in the Metabolic Control of Inflammation
This project explores whether changing the activity of the enzyme ACC can calm harmful inflammation in immune cells to help people with infections, obesity-related immune problems, or cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11139397 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study immune cells called macrophages to see how they rewire fat production during infection and inflammation. They will change ACC activity in cells and model systems to watch how that alters inflammatory signals and lipid buildup. The team will use gene‑activity and chromatin tests (including ATAC‑seq) plus metabolic assays to link ACC-driven lipid production with immune behavior. Findings are meant to explain why people with obesity or diabetes struggle to resolve infections and point to new treatment targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People most relevant would be patients with bacterial or other infections, especially those with obesity or diabetes, or cancer patients with inflammation-related complications.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by macrophage metabolism or inflammatory lipid changes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to adjust immune cell metabolism to reduce damaging inflammation and improve infection and cancer outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior immunometabolism studies show metabolic enzymes can alter immune responses, but targeting ACC in macrophages is a relatively new approach not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leitinger, Norbert — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Leitinger, Norbert
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.