Mouse model reveals how a genetic switch changes harmful cell death in infections
Official title: Mouse Model of Hypersensitivity to LPS
Funded at Augusta University · NIH-11380217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mouse study explores how a specific RIPK1 modification shifts cell death from a protective pyroptosis to harmful necroptosis during infection and endotoxin exposure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Augusta University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $252,716 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI193774-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group in this preclinical study; potential downstream relevance to people with inflammatory or infectious diseases.
✕Less likely to help
This study does not involve patient participation or direct treatment for volunteers.
What this research studies
Researchers created a mouse line with a precise RIPK1 mutation (T169A) that blocks a pyroptotic pathway and then exposed these mice to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). They found that these mice are extremely susceptible to infection and to LPS, dying from accelerated necroptotic cell death rather than the protective pyroptosis. Blocking RIPK3, a key necroptosis mediator, rescued the mice from LPS lethality, suggesting the necroptotic switch drives vulnerability. The work aims to understand how different forms of inflammatory cell death impact the outcome of bacterial infection and systemic inflammation. This research could inform strategies to modulate cell death pathways in human infectious diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide new approaches to prevent harmful necroptosis during infections or sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that necroptosis and pyroptosis balance influences infection outcomes, but this exact RIPK1 T169A switch and its effects are novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Augusta University
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Poltorak, Alexander — Augusta University
- Study coordinator: Poltorak, Alexander
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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.