Investigating a protein complex's role in immune system diseases and autoimmunity
Official title: WAVE Regulatory Complex in Primary Immunodeficiency Disease and autoimmunity
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11019690 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a specific gene might affect the immune system in children with immune disorders, to help us understand and find better treatments for those who struggle to fight infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 10, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $495,723 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158353-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019690 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who have been diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency diseases or exhibit symptoms of autoimmunity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with well-defined primary immunodeficiency diseases that are not linked to the WAVE Regulatory Complex may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of the WAVE Regulatory Complex in primary immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmunity, particularly in children. It aims to explore how mutations in the NCKAP1L gene affect the immune system's ability to respond to infections and produce antibodies. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 and mouse models, the researchers will investigate the specific functions of Hematopoietic protein-1 in immune cell development and function. This could lead to better understanding and potential treatments for severe immune deficiencies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for children with primary immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting the WAVE Regulatory Complex is novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding immune deficiencies and developing targeted therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iritani, Brian M — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Iritani, Brian M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Sustained antibody delivery to durably control HIV-1
A project aims to use gene-delivered antibodies to control HIV-1 for a long time without daily pills.
-
Recognizing and Educating about Underdiagnosed Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders
A patient-friendly look at a study aiming to find why primary immunodeficiency disorders are often missed and how to educate clinicians and patients to catch them earlier.
-
Differential control of NK cell growth and survival in people with genetic replisome problems
This grant looks at why natural killer (NK) cells—crucial for fighting infections and cancer—become defective when replisome genes are altered, with a focus on people who have related genetic conditions.
-
Autologous, non-viral genome editing for ART-SCID (a patient-centered approach)
A pediatric immunology researcher is developing a non-viral genome-editing therapy to repair Artemis-deficient SCID using a patient’s own blood-forming cells.
-
EBV-related lymphoma in people with immune deficiency: understanding what drives the disease
A doctor-scientist team will study a type of blood cancer linked to the Epstein-Barr virus in people with immune system problems to learn what makes it worse and how we can diagnose and treat it better.
-
Lab-grown thymus cells to help T cell problems in CHARGE syndrome
Researchers are growing thymus-supporting cells from stem cells to help people with CHARGE syndrome who have low T cell counts.
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.