Understanding how a protein regulates antiviral responses in humans
Official title: Negative regulation of human antiviral RNAi by PACT
Funded at Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge · NIH-10767364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called PACT helps our bodies fight off viruses by regulating a process called RNA interference, and it's especially focused on how this works in different types of cells, like those in newborns and stem cells, to find out why our immune response changes as we grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | January 23, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $72,868 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI171860-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10767364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and individuals with conditions that affect their immune response to viral infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed immune systems who do not have viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein called PACT in regulating antiviral RNA interference (RNAi) in humans. It explores how this mechanism works in differentiated cells compared to stem cells and newborns, where antiviral RNAi is more active. By examining the interactions between various proteins involved in RNAi, the study aims to uncover the regulatory processes that suppress antiviral responses in mature cells. This could lead to new insights into how our bodies fight viral infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of antiviral mechanisms and potentially lead to new treatments for viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of antiviral RNAi is established in other organisms, its application and regulation in humans is still under investigation, making this research a novel exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Rui — Louisiana State Univ A&m Col Baton Rouge
- Study coordinator: Lu, Rui
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.