Understanding how low oxygen levels affect immune response in tuberculosis
Official title: Hypoxia, tuberculosis, and T cell dysfunction
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11081652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how low oxygen levels affect the immune cells that fight tuberculosis, to understand why some people who seem to control the disease later have it come back, and it hopes to find ways to boost the immune response against TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $795,775 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172905-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a history of tuberculosis or those at risk of developing the disease due to factors like diabetes, malnutrition, or cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or are not at risk for the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of low oxygen levels on T cell function in patients with tuberculosis (TB). It aims to uncover why some individuals who initially control TB later experience a resurgence of the disease, focusing on the role of metabolic stressors like hypoxia. By studying T cells from both human patients and animal models, the research seeks to identify mechanisms of immune failure and potential protective factors. The findings could lead to new strategies for enhancing immunity against TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and preventive strategies for tuberculosis, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune dysfunction in tuberculosis, but this specific approach focusing on metabolic stress and T cell dynamics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Behar, Samuel M — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Behar, Samuel M
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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.