Microglial NOD2/RIPK2 signaling and inflammation in Alzheimer's
Unraveling microglial NOD2/RIPK2 signaling: Implications for neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease
This project tests whether blocking a microglial signaling pathway called NOD2/RIPK2 can lower brain inflammation and protect memory in people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11328796 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how brain immune cells (microglia) respond to amyloid protein in Alzheimer's disease and have found NOD2 and RIPK2 increase in affected brain regions. They will use human brain samples, cell-based proteomics, and mouse models to map how NOD2/RIPK2 drives inflammation and nerve-cell damage. The team will remove these proteins in microglia and try drugs that inhibit RIPK2 to see if that reduces amyloid-driven inflammation and neurodegeneration. The goal is to identify whether this pathway could be a target for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's disease or early-stage cognitive impairment, especially those willing to provide tissue or participate in future clinical testing, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's pathology or whose symptoms are driven by non-inflammatory causes are unlikely to benefit from therapies that target this pathway.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drugs that reduce brain inflammation and slow neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have performed: RIPK2 inhibitors have reduced inflammation in other diseases, but targeting NOD2/RIPK2 specifically in Alzheimer's is a relatively new and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ko, Hanseok — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Ko, Hanseok
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.