Tuberculosis vaccine strategy to protect the lungs in primates
Official title: Mechanisms of efficient control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs prior to granuloma
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11332281 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new vaccine approach using a weakened M. tuberculosis strain aims to protect the lungs from TB by creating strong early lung defenses in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | July 9, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,575,868 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI184623-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332281 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at high risk for TB exposure or with latent TB who would benefit from a stronger, long-lasting lung immune response.
✕Less likely to help
People unlikely to benefit include those without TB exposure risk or who cannot receive vaccines due to medical contraindications.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring an attenuated, live Bacille Calmette-Guérin–style M. tuberculosis vaccine that carries a full set of protective antigens. In nonhuman primate studies, this DsigH vaccine protected against lethal TB infection and produced special lung immune structures and strong T cell responses; removing B cells negated this protection, suggesting a key role for B cells and iBALT in immunity. The project will apply advanced technologies like single-cell RNA sequencing, PET/CT imaging, and single-cell lung imaging to understand how early innate responses shape durable protection in the lungs. The work aims to translate these insights into a vaccination strategy that could provide lasting defense against TB in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective lung-focused vaccines that provide durable protection against tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies in nonhuman primates have shown protection and distinctive lung immune features with this approach, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaushal, Deepak — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Kaushal, Deepak
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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.