How the immune brake LAG3 controls inflammation and healing
Structure, Function and Mechanistic Analysis of LAG3
This project seeks to understand how the immune checkpoint LAG3 works so future treatments can better help people with cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11256717 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would learn that LAG3 is an immune “off-switch” on T cells that affects responses in cancer, chronic infections, and autoimmune disease. The researchers will dissect the specific molecular parts of LAG3 and test their roles using lab-grown cells and animal models. They will compare different LAG3 motifs to see which ones turn immune responses up or down. Results are meant to guide design of drugs that either block LAG3 to boost immunity or activate it to calm harmful inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers where LAG3 contributes to T cell exhaustion or with autoimmune/inflammatory diseases driven by T cell activity are the most likely groups to benefit from follow-up therapies.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to T cell regulation or who need immediate treatment are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic mechanistic work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective LAG3-targeted therapies that either strengthen anti-cancer immunity or reduce autoimmune tissue damage.
How similar studies have performed: Related LAG3-blocking therapies have already reached the clinic and a combination anti-PD1/anti-LAG3 treatment is FDA-approved for melanoma, though many mechanistic details remain unresolved.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vignali, Dario Aa — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vignali, Dario Aa
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.