Targeting CD4 T cell metabolism to reduce inflammation in autoimmune disease
Official title: Exploiting metabolic vulnerabilities of CD4 T cell subsets to control inflammatory disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11262862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are trying to block a metabolism enzyme in certain CD4 immune cells to calm harmful inflammation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2015 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $381,728 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK105550-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11262862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autoimmune conditions driven by CD4 T cell inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease, would be the most relevant candidates for future therapies or sample-donation opportunities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is not driven by CD4 T cells or whose inflammation has non-immune causes are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Chicago aim to shift the balance between inflammatory effector CD4 T cells and protective regulatory T cells by changing how these cells use nutrients. They focus on one‑carbon metabolism and the enzyme MTHFD2, which lab and animal work showed helps harmful effector T cells grow while limiting regulatory T cells. The team used an in vivo CRISPR screen in models of inflammatory bowel disease and also studied human T cells to see how blocking MTHFD2 changes these cell types. Findings could point to drugs that selectively reduce disease-driving T cells while sparing or boosting protective ones.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that lower autoimmune inflammation by targeting harmful T cells while preserving immune regulation.
How similar studies have gone: Related laboratory and animal studies targeting immune cell metabolism and using antifolate strategies have shown promising preclinical results, but clinical testing in patients is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rathmell, Jeffrey C — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rathmell, Jeffrey C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Glutathionylated products from lipid oxidation in eye disease
This project studies how lipid-oxidation products in the eye might drive age-related macular degeneration and related conditions, by looking at molecules that behave like inflammatory signals.
-
Inflammation risks in clonal hematopoiesis and cancer
This grant studies how clonal hematopoiesis may drive inflammatory diseases and helps predict who is at risk so doctors can prevent complications in people with blood cancers.
-
IgE responses to alpha-gal and how they relate to allergic disease
This project studies why some people develop allergic reactions to mammal products due to alpha-gal and what this means for diagnosing and managing the condition.
-
Alpha‑gal allergy: delayed reactions to red meat and mammal‑derived products
Researchers are looking at why some adults get delayed allergic reactions hours after eating mammal products (alpha‑gal) and how to better diagnose and manage them.
-
A signaling switch that keeps inflammation in check in lupus-like disease
Researchers study how a signaling module in immune cells controls inflammation linked to lupus by examining proteins that turn inflammation on and off.
-
Gut bacteria and steroid hormones in inflammatory bowel disease
A study in people and mice looks at how gut bacteria may change steroids that reduce inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.
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.