Investigating how a specific protein affects T cell function in immune responses
Official title: DNA-PKcs Regulation of LAT-Mediated Early TCR Signaling in CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells
Funded at Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst · NIH-10900453 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called DNA-PKcs affects T cells, which are important for fighting cancer and autoimmune diseases, to see if blocking this protein can help improve T cell activity and lead to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173759-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900453 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with cancer, autoimmune diseases, or those undergoing organ transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to T cell function or those not requiring immune modulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of a protein called DNA-PKcs in regulating the activity of T cells, which are crucial for immune responses against cancer and autoimmune diseases. By using advanced techniques, the researchers will explore how inhibiting DNA-PKcs affects T cell activation and function. They will employ specialized mouse models to study the impact of DNA-PKcs on T cell responses to antigens, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients. The goal is to identify potential drug targets that can enhance or modulate T cell activity for better treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve immune responses in patients with cancer and autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar proteins to enhance T cell function, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burdine, Marie Schluterman — Arkansas Children's Hospital Res Inst
- Study coordinator: Burdine, Marie Schluterman
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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.