Understanding how Ikaros affects immune cell development and tolerance in the thymus
Official title: Regulation of medullary thymic epithelial cells and thymic central tolerance by Ikaros
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10986991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called Ikaros helps certain cells in the thymus teach T cells to recognize what belongs in the body and what doesn’t, which is important for preventing autoimmune diseases, and the findings could lead to new treatments for these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 12, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $655,587 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI165829-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with autoimmune diseases or those at risk of developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no autoimmune conditions or those outside the age range of 21+ years may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the Ikaros transcription factor in the development and function of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), which are crucial for teaching T cells to distinguish between self and non-self antigens. By analyzing how Ikaros influences the composition and function of different mTEC populations, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that maintain immune tolerance and prevent autoimmune diseases. The study employs genetic manipulation and cellular analysis techniques to explore the effects of Ikaros on T cell education and the expression of tissue-specific antigens. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new strategies for treating autoimmune conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding immune tolerance mechanisms, but the specific role of Ikaros in mTECs is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waterfield, Michael R — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Waterfield, Michael R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How cancer cells use exosomes to evade the immune system
This study is looking at how cancer cells use tiny bubbles called exosomes to hide proteins that can keep your immune system from fighting the tumor, and by figuring this out, the researchers hope to help doctors understand why some people respond well to cancer treatments while others don’t, ultimately aiming to creat
-
Reducing harm from smoking using electronic cigarettes
This study is looking at whether using electronic cigarettes can be a safer option for people who smoke traditional cigarettes, by comparing the health effects and exposure to harmful substances between the two.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Cutaneous opioid signals in skin inflammation
A mentor-identified clinician-researcher at UCSF is studying how natural skin opioids regulate itch and pain in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and hidradenitis, with plans to map where these opioids come from and how they affect skin nerves.
-
Pooling international data to understand long-term bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures
This project combines large patient datasets from multiple countries to understand how long-term bisphosphonate use relates to rare hip and thigh bone fractures, helping doctors and patients make safer treatment choices.
-
Airway cell and immune cell talks in lung transplant failure
This grant tests how airway cells and immune cells interact to drive chronic rejection after lung transplant, with the goal of slowing or preventing scar-like damage.
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.