Investigating how purinergic signaling affects Chagas disease
Official title: Targeting purinergic signaling in Chagas disease
Funded at National Research Council of Argentina · NIH-11073080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system and inflammation affect Chagas disease, especially how certain molecules might influence heart problems in patients, with the goal of finding new ways to help improve treatment for those dealing with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Research Council of Argentina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cordoba, Argentina) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $131,052 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI176457-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Chagas disease, particularly those experiencing cardiac complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Chagas disease or those with advanced heart failure unrelated to Chagas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Chagas disease, which is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and can lead to severe heart complications. The study aims to understand how the immune response and inflammation interact with the disease, particularly how ATP and its breakdown product, adenosine, influence the disease's progression. By examining these biological signals, the research seeks to identify potential new therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for patients suffering from Chagas cardiomyopathy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for Chagas disease, potentially reducing heart failure and other severe complications.
How similar studies have gone: While research on purinergic signaling is ongoing, this specific approach to Chagas disease is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
National Research Council of Argentina
Cordoba, Argentina Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aoki, Maria Pilar — National Research Council of Argentina
- Study coordinator: Aoki, Maria Pilar
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Antibody-boosted immune responses in Chagas disease
A study in people with Chagas disease examines how antibody-producing B cells influence infection and disease outcome.
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How the immune system protects tissues during Chagas disease
This work explores how key immune cells fight the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and help keep organs healthy in people with Chagas disease.
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Blocking signals that help the Chagas parasite survive in the heart
This project looks at whether stopping the signals that turn injury-related ATP into immune-suppressing adenosine could help people with Chagas-related heart disease.
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Understanding immune responses in Chagas disease
This study looks at how the immune system fights Chagas disease and focuses on a type of immune cell called CD8+ T cells, hoping to find ways to improve treatments for patients by understanding how these cells work and what challenges they face.
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.