Understanding how certain immune cells can cause disease instead of helping fight infections
Official title: Investigating mechanisms of bystander CD8 T cell mediated immunopathology
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11066757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called bystander memory CD8+ T cells, can sometimes cause problems instead of helping the body fight infections, and it aims to find out why this happens so we can create better treatments for immune-related diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $42,492 |
| NIH project number | 1F30AI183705-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11066757 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with immune-mediated diseases or those experiencing complications from infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-immune-mediated conditions or those not affected by infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of bystander memory CD8+ T cells in immune dysfunction, particularly how they can sometimes lead to harmful outcomes instead of protecting the body. Using a mouse model, the study examines how these immune cells respond during infections, focusing on their interaction with bacteria and the inflammatory signals they produce. The goal is to identify the mechanisms that cause these immune cells to behave improperly, which could help in developing better treatments for immune-mediated diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for patients suffering from immune-mediated diseases by better understanding how to regulate immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms being investigated are novel, previous research has shown that understanding immune cell behavior can lead to significant advancements in treatment strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wall, Sarah M — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Wall, Sarah 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.