How tuft cells affect immune health in the saliva-producing glands
The Role of Tufts Cells in Salivary Gland Immunity
This project looks at whether tiny tuft cells in the salivary glands change immune activity in ways that could matter for people with Sjögren’s syndrome and other autoimmune dry-mouth conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311947 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will map where tuft cells live in salivary gland tissue using high-resolution microscopy and single-cell RNA sequencing to see what signals these cells make. They will use spatial transcriptomics to place those signals within the gland structure and perform experiments that remove tuft cells in animal models to observe effects on innate immunity. In the later phase, the team will study how tuft cells influence adaptive immune responses linked to Sjögren’s syndrome. The early (K99) phase also includes mentored training so the investigator can learn advanced immunology and single-cell methods before leading the independent project.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: There is no current patient enrollment in this laboratory-focused project, but people with Sjögren’s syndrome or chronic autoimmune dry mouth would be the likely candidates for future clinical work informed by these results.
Not a fit: Patients whose dry mouth is due to non-immune causes (medications, radiation damage, or structural problems) are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic research in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or strategies to protect salivary glands and reduce dry mouth in people with Sjögren’s and related autoimmune disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show tuft cells can trigger immune responses in the gut and airways, but applying these ideas to salivary glands and Sjögren’s is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tavares Dos Santos, Harim — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Tavares Dos Santos, Harim
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.