How the immune system protects tissues during Chagas disease
Immunoregulation of cellular immunity and tissue homeostasis during Chagas' disease
This work explores how key immune cells fight the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and help keep organs healthy in people with Chagas disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Research Council of Argentina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cordoba, Argentina) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319791 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how CD8+ T cells (the immune cells that kill infected cells) form, expand, and function during T. cruzi infection and how regulatory T cells limit damage to tissues. The team will use laboratory infection models, analyses of immune cells and their metabolism, and tissue studies to see what supports strong, lasting cellular immunity while preserving organ health. Experiments will examine the interplay between effector and regulatory pathways to identify barriers to protective immunity. The goal is to translate those findings into ideas for therapies or vaccines that balance parasite control with protection from immune-driven damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with confirmed T. cruzi infection—including recent infections and chronic patients, especially those with heart or digestive symptoms—would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without Chagas infection or those with irreversible late-stage organ damage are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost protective immunity or prevent organ damage from Chagas disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have established that CD8+ T cells matter for controlling T. cruzi, but targeting their metabolic needs and the role of regulatory T cells in protecting tissues is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Cordoba, Argentina
- National Research Council of Argentina — Cordoba, Argentina (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acosta Rodriguez, Eva V — National Research Council of Argentina
- Study coordinator: Acosta Rodriguez, Eva V
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.