How the immune signal CD40L helps the gut fight parasitic infection
The role of CD40L in resistance to enteric infection
This work looks at how the immune molecule CD40L helps clear intestinal parasites like Cryptosporidium using a natural mouse model to learn clues that could guide future treatments for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11396838 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a naturally occurring mouse model of Cryptosporidium infection to study how CD40L on recently activated T cells changes the outcome of gut infection. They compare normal mice to CD40L-deficient mice and treat deficient animals with soluble CD40L to see if parasites are cleared. The team will combine parasite transgenesis and genetic tools to determine whether CD40L helps by boosting T cell IFN-γ responses or by directly activating intestinal epithelial cells. Results are intended to reveal which cellular interactions are critical for controlling enteric infection and may point to therapeutic targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent or chronic Cryptosporidium infection or with immune conditions that impair CD40L signaling would be most relevant to the goals of this research.
Not a fit: Patients with diarrhea caused by non-parasitic infections or conditions unrelated to CD40L-driven immunity are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to boost CD40L signaling to help people, especially those with immune defects, clear chronic intestinal parasite infections like Cryptosporidium.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse studies show that treating CD40L-deficient mice with soluble CD40L can rapidly clear Cryptosporidium, but applying this approach to humans remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hunter, Christopher a — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Hunter, Christopher a
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.