Tryptophan breakdown and AHR pathways in leishmaniasis resistance to antimonial drugs
Official title: Role of tryptophan catabolism and AHR pathways in natural resistance of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis to antimonial drug
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11420598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why a parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia often resists a standard drug, by studying how the human immune system reacts at the cellular level.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $44,494 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI188147-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420598 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, particularly in regions where resistance to antimonial drugs is observed.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with forms of leishmaniasis not caused by L. panamensis or those not treated with antimonial drugs may not benefit.
What this research studies
In people affected by Leishmania panamensis, some parasite subtypes resist meglumine antimoniate, the common treatment. The team will study how human macrophages respond when infected with resistant versus sensitive parasite strains, focusing on tryptophan catabolism and AHR pathway activity. They will use transcriptome analyses to identify host gene expression changes linked to resistance and treatment failure. The goal is to uncover host- and parasite-derived targets that could guide new therapies or improve existing treatments. This work is aimed at translating molecular insights into better outcomes for patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new strategies to overcome drug resistance and improve treatment success for patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed differential host responses to resistant versus sensitive parasite strains and linked gene pathways to treatment outcomes, supporting the potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Sayed, Najib M — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: El-Sayed, Najib M
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.