Marginal zone B cells in health and autoimmune disease
Official title: Marginal zone-specific manipulation of gene expression
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11453582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant will study how a specific type of B cell (marginal zone B cells) helps fight infection and how it may drive autoimmune disease, with the goal of shaping safer, more effective immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI196571-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11453582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial; findings may later inform patients with autoimmune diseases or atherosclerosis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without autoimmune or infectious disease contexts may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This grant will explore how mature B cell subsets, especially marginal zone B cells, influence protection against infections and the development of autoimmune conditions. The work aims to identify ways to suppress harmful autoreactive B cells without compromising defenses against pathogens. It will examine how MZ B cells interact with other immune cells and contribute to antibody responses, antigen presentation, and IL-10 production. Findings could inform strategies to reduce autoimmunity while preserving protective immunity. The project uses basic science approaches to better understand human-relevant B cell functions and their roles in diseases like atherosclerosis and lupus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Insights from this research could lead to targeted therapies that prevent autoimmunity while maintaining strong defenses against infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that MZ B cells can both protect against infections and contribute to autoimmunity, suggesting a nuanced balance that this project will probe.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Satterthwaite, Anne B — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Satterthwaite, Anne B
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.