How tissue dendritic cells protect barrier organs and prevent autoimmunity
Interrogating unique DC adaptations to tissue to promote barrier immunity and tolerance
This project looks at how dendritic immune cells in skin, lung, and gut learn to fight infections while preventing damage to the body, aiming to help people with viral infections, cancer, or autoimmune conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study dendritic cells that live in barrier tissues (skin, lung, gut) to see how the local environment shapes their behavior. They will use molecular and genetic tools, including chromatin profiling (ATAC-seq), to find the signals that make these cells either activate immunity or promote tolerance. Laboratory models and tissue samples will be used to test whether changing those signals can boost protective responses to viruses or cancer without causing autoimmunity. The work is aimed at identifying targets that could be used in future vaccines or therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people willing to donate blood or tissue samples and those affected by viral infections, cancer, or autoimmune disorders who want to support early-stage research.
Not a fit: People seeking an immediate treatment or cure are unlikely to benefit directly because this is basic research focused on understanding immune cell behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to improve vaccines and immune therapies that protect against infections and cancer while reducing autoimmune side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Basic immunology approaches have previously guided vaccine and cancer therapy advances, but targeting tissue-specific dendritic cell programs is a newer, less-tested strategy.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anandasabapathy, Niroshana — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Anandasabapathy, Niroshana
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.