Teaching immune cells new functions through MHC signaling
Signaling via MHC: engineering immune cells with new capabilities
Researchers are reprogramming antigen-presenting cells so they can send signals that might help people with autoimmune diseases reduce harmful immune attacks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11398334 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses gene engineering to add signaling modules to MHC molecules on cells that normally only display pieces of proteins to T cells. In the lab, scientists will build and test these modified MHCs (called SABRs) in cell systems and biological models to see if the presenting cells change their behavior. The team will measure whether these changes can turn down or redirect harmful immune responses that underlie autoimmune disease. This is early-stage laboratory and model work and may lead to future patient-focused trials if successful.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune conditions (for example rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or type 1 diabetes) who are willing to provide blood or tissue samples or consider participating in future clinical testing would be ideal candidates for follow-up studies.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune disease or those needing immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new therapies that retrain parts of the immune system to reduce autoimmune attacks while preserving normal immune defenses.
How similar studies have performed: Immune-cell engineering (for example CAR-T) has shown clinical success, but turning antigen-presenting MHC molecules into active signaling units is a new and largely untested idea.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joglekar, Alok — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Joglekar, Alok
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 below.