The role of T helper cells in chronic inflammation and multiple diseases in older adults
Official title: T helper cells in development of chronic inflammation and multimorbidity
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10904014 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called T helper cells can cause ongoing inflammation and contribute to health issues like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's in older adults, with the goal of finding better treatments to reduce inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $626,628 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078359-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904014 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing multimorbidity or chronic inflammatory conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger and do not have chronic inflammatory diseases or multimorbidity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how T helper cells contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of multiple diseases in older adults. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which these immune cells infiltrate tissues and influence inflammatory responses, particularly in conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. By analyzing data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, the research aims to provide insights that could lead to more targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. The study seeks to bridge the gap between animal studies and human health by characterizing the role of immune cells in inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for chronic diseases associated with aging by targeting inflammation more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting inflammation can reduce risks for certain chronic diseases, but the specific role of T helper cells in humans remains less explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ding, Jingzhong — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ding, Jingzhong
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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.