Understanding how T cell signals guide immune responses
Official title: Structural Studies of a T cell Specific Tyrosine Kinase
Funded at Iowa State University · NIH-11386551 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how different strengths of T cell receptor signals shape the behavior of T cells, with potential implications for autoimmune diseases and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Iowa State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ames, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 1999 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $531,842 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI043957-28 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386551 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Anyone with autoimmune conditions or infectious diseases involving T cell responses, or individuals eligible for immunotherapy trials, could benefit in the long term.
✕Less likely to help
Best understood in the context of basic immune signaling; direct benefits to patients may require translation and future trials.
What this research studies
Researchers aim to map how varying TCR signal strength changes gene expression and T cell outcomes like proliferation, memory, and effector function. The work focuses on the TEC kinase ITK and how tuning T cell signaling could improve therapies. The study uses models of human-relevant immune responses to understand how to better direct T cells in disease contexts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining insights could lead to more precise immunotherapies and better treatments for autoimmune diseases and infections.
How similar studies have gone: Past work suggests ITK and TCR signaling influence T cell outcomes, but detailed pathways and tuning strategies remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Iowa State University
Ames, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andreotti, Amy H — Iowa State University
- Study coordinator: Andreotti, Amy H
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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.