Lactate's effect on B cells in sepsis and immune paralysis
Official title: Elucidating the Role of Lactate in Immune Dysfunction during Sepsis: A Focus on B Cell Modulation
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11361781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how lactate affects B cells during sepsis to explain why the immune system slows down after infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | June 2, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,472 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI192407-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Sepsis patients or survivors with immune dysfunction who could be studied for B cell activity and responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sepsis or with stable immune systems may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Sepsis causes dangerous inflammation and can lead to lasting immune problems. This project aims to understand how lactate, a molecule linked to worse outcomes, changes B cell development and function after sepsis. By studying transcription factors like FoxO1 and the unexpected production of GABA in B cells, researchers hope to pinpoint mechanisms of immune paralysis. The work will use patient-derived samples and experimental models to connect metabolic signals with immune cell behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify targets that could restore B cell activity and improve recovery for sepsis survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to therapies that boost B cell function and reduce secondary infections in sepsis patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows lactate can alter immune cells, with new evidence suggesting B cells are affected in sepsis, making this approach promising but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Kun — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Yang, Kun
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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.