Oral fungal commensals and the body's tissue-building immunity
Official title: Oral commensal fungi and structural immunity
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11370268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how the common oral fungus Candida albicans helps shape the immune system and tissue responses to keep the mouth healthy, especially in people with AIDS-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $511,256 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031382-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with mucosal immune challenges or HIV/AIDS-related conditions where oral health and mucosal immunity are relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without mucosal immune issues or HIV/AIDS-related conditions may not directly benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project explores how the fungus Candida albicans, normally a harmless resident in the mouth, influences immune cells and the tissue environment through a concept called structural immunity. The work looks at how oral colonization by C. albicans may create memory and remodeling in both immune and structural cells, potentially affecting responses to pathogens and inflammation. The study uses basic science approaches to understand these interactions in the context of mucosal immunity and HIV-related conditions. Findings could illuminate new ways the mouth’s tissue framework supports balanced immunity in people with AIDS-related immunodeficiencies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A deeper understanding of how oral fungi shape immunity could lead to new strategies to maintain mucosal health and prevent inflammatory or infectious complications in people with AIDS.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown that oral fungi can influence immune memory and tissue responses, suggesting potential translational relevance, though this specific structural-immunity focus is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Swidergall, Marc — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Swidergall, Marc
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.