How the lungs' first responders react to TB bacteria
Official title: Innate sensing of M. tuberculosis by alveolar macrophages
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11369920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at understanding how alveolar macrophages in the lungs respond to TB bacteria to help create better vaccines and therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $455,955 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177653-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who may participate through BCG-vaccinated status or exposure considerations, or via analyses of human samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not impacted by TB or not involved in sample-based analyses may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project studies how the very first lung cells that meet TB bacteria, alveolar macrophages, sense and respond to infection. It looks at the signals these cells send, how they present antigens, and how their early behavior may affect later immune responses. Researchers will use human cells and inhaled exposure models to explore innate defense pathways and potential ways to boost protective responses. The goal is to identify new targets to improve early immunity against TB and guide future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Discoveries could lead to new vaccines or treatments that strengthen early lung defenses against TB.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows alveolar macrophages can shape early TB responses, suggesting this approach is promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rothchild, Alissa Chen — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Rothchild, Alissa Chen
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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.