Targeting CD4 T cell metabolism to treat CNS autoimmune disease
Official title: Metabolic targeting of CD4 T cells in CNS autoimmunity
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11369169 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to see if changing methionine metabolism in immune cells can slow or stop CNS autoimmune disease, like MS, by weakening harmful T cells while protecting good immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $790,222 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI188367-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369169 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with CNS autoimmune diseases like MS may benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit may be limited until therapies are developed and tested in humans.
What this research studies
This project tests how MAT2A, an enzyme that makes a key molecule in methionine metabolism, controls the behavior of CD4 T cells in CNS autoimmunity. Researchers will use genetically modified mice and MAT2A inhibitors to study how these T cells cause disease and how to limit their damaging activity without harming regulatory T cells. The work includes cell culture experiments and animal models to map pathways and test potential therapies. If successful, it could point to metabolic strategies to treat MS and similar conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with CNS autoimmune diseases could have new metabolic-based treatments that reduce harmful T cell activity and disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that manipulating methionine metabolism can influence disease in mouse models of CNS autoimmunity, supporting translation to human studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Russell Graham — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Jones, Russell Graham
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.