Understanding how the immune system protects against tuberculosis
Official title: IMMUNE MECHANISMS OF PROTECTION AGAINST MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS CENTER (IMPAC-TB)
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11176666 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our immune system fights tuberculosis and aims to find ways to improve vaccines for it, especially for people who might also have other infections like HIV. If you're a patient, you might have the chance to help us understand your immune responses to support better vaccine development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2019 |
| Project end | September 29, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $5,537,577 |
| NIH project number | 75N93019C00071-P00024-9999-1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176666 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include individuals with a history of tuberculosis exposure or those living with HIV, as their immune responses are particularly relevant to the study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for tuberculosis or do not have any immune system-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune responses necessary for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by analyzing tissue-specific and systemic responses in small animals, non-human primates, and humans. The team aims to identify key immunologic targets that could enhance tuberculosis vaccine strategies. Additionally, the research will explore how infections like HIV and other mycobacteria affect immune responses to tuberculosis. Patients may be involved in studies that assess their immune responses to better inform vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved tuberculosis vaccines and better protection for patients against this disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to tuberculosis, making this approach a continuation of established work in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fortune, Sarah — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Fortune, Sarah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coronary disease and immune activation in people with HIV and tuberculosis coinfection
This research looks at how having HIV and latent tuberculosis together might raise the risk of heart disease, and what immune changes are involved.
-
Pulmonary rehabilitation to reduce breathing problems after tuberculosis
A program of guided exercise and breathing training to help adults who have recovered from TB breathe better and feel healthier.
-
Pulmonary rehab to reduce breathing troubles after TB
A program of pulmonary rehabilitation is being studied to help adults who have completed TB treatment avoid ongoing lung problems and improve daily breathing.
-
Air pollution and tuberculosis spread in Kampala, Uganda
This project looks at whether dirty air from PM2.5 particles makes tuberculosis more likely to spread within urban slum households in Kampala, Uganda.
-
Air pollution and TB spread in Ugandan urban slums
This project explores whether exposure to air pollution makes tuberculosis more likely to spread within households in a crowded Ugandan slum.
-
Air pollution and TB transmission in Kampala’s urban slums
This project looks at whether air pollution from PM2.5 makes tuberculosis spread more easily from infected people to their neighbors in urban slums of Kampala, Uganda.
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.