Targeting a specific immune response to improve tuberculosis treatment
Official title: Targeting NETosis for the Treatment of Tuberculosis
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11092000 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of immune cell called neutrophils reacts to tuberculosis and how their actions might affect how severe the disease gets, with the goal of finding new treatments that could help people recover from TB more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $628,284 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI179024-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092000 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with active tuberculosis who exhibit high levels of neutrophils in their respiratory samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with latent tuberculosis or those who do not have a significant neutrophil response may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how neutrophils, a type of immune cell, respond to tuberculosis (TB) infection and their role in disease severity. It focuses on a process called NETosis, where neutrophils release traps to capture and kill pathogens, but which may also inadvertently help TB bacteria thrive. By understanding the mechanisms behind NETosis, the research aims to develop new therapies that inhibit this process, potentially leading to better control of TB infections. Patients may benefit from treatments that target these immune responses to enhance their recovery from TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve treatment outcomes for patients with tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting immune responses can be effective in managing infectious diseases, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stallings, Christina Leigh — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Stallings, Christina Leigh
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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.