How Toxoplasma hijacks immune cells to spread in the body
Mechanisms of host leukocyte-mediated Toxoplasma dissemination in its host
This work looks at how the parasite Toxoplasma gondii changes immune cells to help it spread, which matters for people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11333277 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying a parasite protein called TgWIP that the parasite injects into immune cells and that makes dendritic cells become hyper‑mobile. They will examine how TgWIP alters the actin cytoskeleton and binds host proteins such as the WAVE regulatory complex, Nck, Grb2, and SHP1/2 using cell-based molecular experiments. The team will use infected immune cells and likely animal models to see how these changes let the parasite travel to the brain and other organs. Findings will be used to inform ways to block this ‘Trojan horse’ process and reduce dangerous spread in people with weakened immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with weakened immune systems—such as organ transplant recipients and people with HIV/AIDS—are the group most likely to benefit from future clinical applications of this work.
Not a fit: Healthy people with normal immune systems are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new strategies to stop the parasite from spreading and reduce severe organ or brain infection in immunosuppressed patients.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies have shown parasites can use host cells to disseminate, but targeting TgWIP and its specific host interactions is a novel and unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saeij, Jeroen — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Saeij, Jeroen
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.