Understanding how PD-1 signaling shapes T cell responses in autoimmune disease
Official title: System Dynamics of PD-1 Signaling in T Cells
Funded at Triad National Security, LLC · NIH-11384311 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project exploring how the PD-1 pathway affects T cell activation and tolerance in autoimmune conditions, with potential to improve therapies that balance immune attack and safety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Triad National Security, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Alamos, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 3, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $776,932 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI153617-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384311 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with autoimmune conditions or those at risk of autoimmunity may indirectly benefit from advances in therapies inspired by this work.
✕Less likely to help
Direct participation by patients is not described; benefits are anticipated through future therapeutic development.
What this research studies
This grant studies how T cells decide to activate or become tolerant by reading signals from their environment, including PD-1–related inhibitory cues. Researchers will examine how TCR signaling interacts with stimulatory and inhibitory inputs to influence T cell fate in autoimmune contexts. By modeling these dynamics, the work aims to reveal how to fine-tune immune responses while reducing harmful inflammation. The findings could inform future therapies that minimize autoimmunity while preserving protective immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of PD-1–mediated control could lead to safer, more precise treatments for autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports the importance of PD-1 and B7-family signals in regulating autoimmunity, with ongoing exploration in translational approaches.
Where this research is happening
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Triad National Security, LLC
Los Alamos, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hlavacek, William S — Triad National Security, LLC
- Study coordinator: Hlavacek, William S
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.