Investigating how PFOA affects B cell function and immune response
Official title: PFOA targets B cell lipid raft organization and function
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10665277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a chemical called PFOA, found in many everyday products, affects the immune system, especially the B cells that help make antibodies, to better understand how it might harm our health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $425,388 |
| NIH project number | 1R21ES034458-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10665277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals exposed to PFOA through environmental sources, such as contaminated water or consumer products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to PFOA or similar environmental toxins may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical found in many consumer products, on the immune system, particularly on B cells which are crucial for antibody production. The study aims to uncover how PFOA disrupts the organization of lipid rafts in B cells, which are essential for their activation and function. By exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved, the research seeks to identify new targets for understanding PFOA's immunotoxic effects. This could lead to better insights into how environmental toxins impact human health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of how environmental toxins like PFOA affect immune function, potentially guiding public health interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that exposure to PFAS can impair immune function, suggesting that this investigation into PFOA's specific effects on B cells is a critical and potentially impactful area of study.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaikh, Saame R — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Shaikh, Saame R
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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.