Understanding how certain immune cells regulate interferon production
Official title: Identification of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Regulators
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11057949 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special immune cells called plasmacytoid dendritic cells to understand how they help fight off viruses and cancer, and it hopes to find ways to make these cells work better, which could help patients with autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | November 21, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $192,788 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI180901-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057949 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with autoimmune diseases or those at risk of viral infections and cancers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to immune dysfunction or those not producing type I interferons may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in producing type I interferons, which are crucial for fighting viral infections and cancers. The study aims to identify the regulators that control pDC function and their ability to produce these important immune signals. By using an improved pDC cell line, the research will explore why these cells can become exhausted and lose their effectiveness, which is linked to autoimmune diseases and cancer. Patients may benefit from insights gained into how to enhance pDC function and improve immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing immune responses in patients with autoimmune diseases and cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell functions, but this genome-wide investigation into pDC regulators is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuniga, Elina I — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zuniga, Elina I
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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.