Protective dengue vaccines that steer T and B cell responses
Official title: Driving Protective Dengue Virus-Specific T and B Cell Responses Through Vaccination
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11572336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A vaccine study aims to guide the body’s T and B cells to fight all four dengue virus types safely and effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 12, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $767,876 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AI150672-05A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals at risk for dengue exposure who may participate in future vaccine trials after safety and efficacy are established.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk of dengue or those who cannot participate in vaccine trials may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project focuses on developing a new dengue vaccine that uses genetic delivery to shape the immune response toward neutralizing targets. By altering the virus’s protein code, the vaccine hopes to teach the immune system to block infection across all serotypes. The work involves preclinical testing in animal models to understand how the immune system responds and to minimize risks like antibody-dependent enhancement. If successful, these findings could inform future human trials and contribute to a safer, broadly protective dengue vaccine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this vaccine approach could reduce severe dengue and save lives by preventing infection across all four dengue serotypes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous dengue vaccine attempts have shown partial protection and safety concerns; this work aims to improve breadth and safety.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Richner, Justin — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Richner, Justin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How the immune system responds to dengue vaccines and infection
This project compares immune reactions in people given different dengue vaccine formulations to find why one vaccine fully prevented DENV-2 infection while another did not.
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How prior dengue infections shape T cell responses after a new infection or vaccine
This project looks at how a person’s existing dengue immunity affects their body's T cell response when exposed to a different dengue serotype or a live dengue vaccine, with a focus on kids and how this influences protection and safety.
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Protective immunity after dengue infections and vaccination
Researchers are studying how our immune system remembers dengue and how vaccines influence that protection, aiming to spot clues that predict who remains protected or at risk after infection or vaccination.
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Dengue vaccine-B cell and T cell responses linked to protection after controlled dengue infection
A Johns Hopkins-led study will look at how the body’s B and T cells respond to dengue vaccines and how these responses relate to protection against dengue infection in people who participate in a controlled infection model.
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How long dengue vaccine protection lasts in areas where dengue is common
This project looks at immune responses after dengue vaccination to find which people keep protection longest in places where dengue is common.
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How past dengue infection or vaccination shapes T cell immunity
This project looks at how previous dengue infections or a weakened dengue vaccine change T cells in children and others exposed to dengue.
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.