TLR7 activation and natural killer (NK) cell killing in humans
Official title: Dissecting the Differential Impacts of Toll-like Receptor 7 Agonism on the Capacity of Human Natural Killer Cells to Mediate Target Cell Killing
Funded at University of Nebraska Omaha · NIH-11444131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to see how stimulating TLR7 affects how human NK cells kill target cells through antibody-assisted activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Omaha NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $371,250 |
| NIH project number | 2R15AI178516-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11444131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a human immune system suitable for in vitro studies using their own PBMCs or samples from healthy volunteers.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not contributing samples or whose cells are unusable for the assays would not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how a TLR7 agonist changes the ability of human NK cells to mediate ADCC. Researchers will examine whether CD16 is shed from NK cells after TLR7 activation and how this impacts killing of antibody-tagged targets. The work uses human immune cells and PBMCs to explore mechanisms that could influence immunotherapies. Findings could guide safer and more effective use of TLR7-based approaches in patients. The research builds on prior work with TLR9 and aims to clarify the role of TLR7 in NK cell function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could inform development of immunotherapies that harness NK cells more effectively.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work with TLR9 showed effects on NK cell killing, and this study tests if similar or different outcomes occur with TLR7.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Omaha
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Denton, Paul W. — University of Nebraska Omaha
- Study coordinator: Denton, Paul W.
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.