Understanding Defensins in Urinary Tract Infections and Pain
Genetic dissection of defensin signaling in urinary tract infections
This work explores how natural defense proteins called defensins affect urinary tract infections and related pain, aiming to find better ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140990 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem, especially for elderly women, and current antibiotics don't always work well. We need new treatments that target how the body fights off these infections. This project uses a special mouse model to understand the role of natural defense proteins, called defensins, in fighting UTIs. We believe defensins are important for immunity but might also contribute to the pelvic pain often experienced with UTIs. By studying these proteins and how they work, we hope to uncover new ways to treat UTIs and manage the associated discomfort.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who experience recurrent urinary tract infections or significant pelvic pain associated with UTIs could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without urinary tract infections or related pelvic pain would not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-based treatments for urinary tract infections and better ways to manage the pelvic pain they cause.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of defensins in skin immunity has been established, this project applies unique genetic tools to study defensins and their receptors in the urinary tract, which is a novel focus for this specific approach.
Where this research is happening
Richardson, United States
- University of Texas Dallas — Richardson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Xintong — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Dong, Xintong
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.