Oral bacteria vesicles steering immune signals in autoimmune disease
Official title: Modulation of Interferon Signaling by Streptococcus sanguinis Vesicles: A New Mechanism of Oral Immune Regulation
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11465074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see if tiny packages from mouth bacteria can change immune signals and possibly help conditions like Behçet’s syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 14, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE035757-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11465074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Behçet’s syndrome or other autoimmune conditions who could benefit from therapies targeting interferon pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or patients without interferon-related immune dysregulation may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how vesicles released by Streptococcus sanguinis in the mouth might dampen specific immune pathways linked to autoimmune diseases. Researchers will identify the components responsible, especially a protease called SSA1882, and test how it affects interferon signaling in oral tissues. They will use biochemical, proteomic, and transcriptomic approaches and also study whether these vesicles influence B and T cells in human blood—bridging mouth health to systemic immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to modulate immune responses in autoimmune diseases affecting the mouth and beyond.
How similar studies have gone: Prior evidence suggests bacterial vesicles can influence host immunity, but this specific mechanism is novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kreth, Jens — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Kreth, Jens
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.