Role of MAIT Cells in Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC)
Official title: Role of MAIT cells in primary biliary cholangitis.
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11451080 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant investigates how MAIT immune cells contribute to the autoimmune liver disease PBC and what that means for future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $939,776 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK142415-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451080 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with primary biliary cholangitis or those at risk of autoimmune liver disease may benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PBC or autoimmune liver disease may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
PBC is a liver disease driven by the body’s immune system attacking bile duct cells. The researchers will study MAIT cells, which recognize specific antigens and are abundant in the liver, to understand their role in PBC progression. By examining immune mechanisms and genetic data, the project aims to identify potential targets for new treatments that could improve liver function and outcomes for people with PBC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets for therapies that better control liver inflammation and fibrosis in PBC.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results on MAIT cells in PBC, making this investigation timely and potentially paradigm-shifting.
Where this research is happening
-
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kronenberg, Mitchell — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Kronenberg, Mitchell
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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.