Macrophages as hide-outs for chronic infections
Characterizing Macrophages as "Hide-Outs" for Chronic Pathogens
This project looks at how immune cells called macrophages let HIV and other long-lasting germs hide, with the goal of helping people living with chronic infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141741 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study macrophages infected with HIV and other chronic pathogens to see how those cells avoid being killed by the immune system's T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. They will compare the tricks different pathogens use and look for shared pathways that let infections persist. Lab work will use infected cells and immune cells to test whether targeting those pathways can make immune cells better at clearing hidden infections. The work is done at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and could involve human-derived samples.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV or chronic tuberculosis, or those willing to donate blood or tissue samples for immune research, would be the most relevant candidates to support this work.
Not a fit: This is lab-focused research, so people should not expect to receive an immediate new treatment or cure from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost the immune system so it clears hidden reservoirs of infections like HIV or tuberculosis.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies have shown macrophages can shelter pathogens from immune killing, but applying a shared targeting strategy across different chronic infections is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clayton, Kiera L. — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Clayton, Kiera L.
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 below.