Immune responses to cholera's O-specific sugar (OSP)
O-Specific Polysaccharide Responses and Cholera
This project will learn how antibodies against a sugar on the cholera bacterium protect people, with the goal of helping create better vaccines for children and adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258941 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study antibodies that target the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) on Vibrio cholerae using lab-grown human intestinal models and human-derived monoclonal antibodies. They will collect mucosal tissue, intestinal contents, and blood from people with cholera — including samples taken by endoscopic biopsy — and analyze them with single-nuclei and B/T cell receptor sequencing. The team will compare immune responses in recovering patients in Bangladesh and detailed blood-based immune profiles to identify which responses link to protection. The work combines patient samples, advanced sequencing, and functional lab models to pinpoint mechanisms that could guide better vaccine design.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who have had cholera or are recovering from infection and who are willing to provide blood, stool, and in some cases mucosal biopsy samples, including children and adults at participating sites.
Not a fit: People without cholera exposure or those seeking immediate treatment rather than contributing samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could enable vaccines that protect young children better and produce longer-lasting immunity against cholera.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has linked OSP-targeting antibodies to protection, but applying that knowledge to improve vaccines for young children remains a key, not-yet-fully-solved goal.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryan, Edward T. — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ryan, Edward T.
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.