Metabolism and immune cell balance in central nervous system inflammation
Metabolic regulators of Treg/Th17 balance in CNS autoimmunity
This work looks at whether changing metabolism in certain immune cells can push them from inflammatory to regulatory behavior for people with autoimmune diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11141169 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a new computational tool called Compass to read single-cell RNA data and pinpoint metabolic pathways that make certain T cells harmful in CNS autoimmunity. They identified the polyamine pathway and the enzyme Odc1 as drivers of inflammatory Th17 cells and found a connection to the epigenetic regulator JMJD3. The team will test chemical inhibitors and genetic approaches in cells and preclinical models and measure changes in gene activity and genome accessibility to see if immune cells convert toward a regulatory state that reduces tissue inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with CNS autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis who might donate blood or tissue samples or be eligible for future trials targeting immune cell metabolism.
Not a fit: People without an autoimmune condition of the central nervous system or those with non-immune neurological diseases are unlikely to benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that reduce brain and spinal cord inflammation by shifting harmful immune cells toward protective regulatory cells.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical cell and animal studies have suggested the polyamine pathway affects Th17/Treg balance, but translation to human therapies remains early and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuchroo, Vijay K. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kuchroo, Vijay K.
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.