Immune receptors that spot cell damage and drive inflammation
Novel histone-binding C-type lectin receptors and their role in sterile inflammation and tissue injury
Researchers are looking for human immune receptors that detect proteins released by damaged cells to help people with tissue injury and inflammation after events like heart attack, stroke, or cancer-related damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228397 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join this work, researchers will study how immune cells react to histones, proteins released when cells die, using human blood or tissue samples alongside lab tests. They will compare human cell responses to findings from mouse models where a related receptor was discovered. The team will search for the human versions of these histone-binding receptors and test how changing their activity alters inflammatory signals in the lab. These lab-based findings are intended to point toward new ways to reduce harmful inflammation after tissue injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who have experienced tissue injury or sterile inflammation (for example from heart attack, stroke, or traumatic tissue damage) or who are willing to donate blood or tissue samples for lab study.
Not a fit: People without tissue injury or those whose problems are caused by active infection or unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that limit damaging inflammation and reduce tissue loss after heart attacks, strokes, or other sterile injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work found a histone receptor in mice (Clec2d), showing promise in animal models, but finding and validating the equivalent human receptors is novel and not yet proven clinically.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rock, Kenneth L — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Rock, Kenneth L
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.