How the Ikaros protein helps the thymus teach immune cells not to attack the body
Regulation of medullary thymic epithelial cells and thymic central tolerance by Ikaros
This work explores how the protein Ikaros helps the thymus train immune cells to avoid attacking the body's own tissues, which could help people with autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238446 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study special cells in the thymus called medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) to see how Ikaros controls the display of self-antigens that teach T cells tolerance. They will compare normal mTECs with ones lacking Ikaros and look at different mTEC subtypes to map changes in gene activity and cell composition. Laboratory experiments will trace how those changes affect the removal of self-reactive T cells and the risk of autoimmunity. The work aims to pinpoint mechanisms that could be targeted to preserve or restore immune tolerance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with autoimmune conditions or healthy adult volunteers who can provide blood or tissue samples for research would be the most relevant people to participate or contribute.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment for their autoimmune symptoms or those with unrelated medical problems should not expect direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new ways to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases by restoring proper thymic self-tolerance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work showed Aire and Fezf2 control many thymic self-antigens, but focusing on Ikaros as a regulator of mTEC composition and tolerance is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waterfield, Michael R — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Waterfield, Michael R
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.