Understanding how certain immune cells can cause disease instead of helping fight infections

Investigating mechanisms of bystander CD8 T cell mediated immunopathology

NIH-funded research University of Minnesota · NIH-11066757

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 typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Minnesota NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Minneapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11066757 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with immune-mediated diseases or those experiencing complications from infections.

Not a fit: Patients with non-immune-mediated conditions or those not affected by infections may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Minneapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions acute infectionbacteria infectionbacterial diseaseBacterial Infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.