Understanding how the immune system responds to Chlamydia infections
Official title: Exploring early protective immune responses to Chlamydia
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11087717 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system in women responds to Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted infection, to help find ways to create a vaccine that could protect against it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $182,746 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI180670-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087717 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who are at risk of Chlamydia infections or have a history of such infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for Chlamydia infections or those who have already been vaccinated against it may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the early immune responses to Chlamydia trachomatis, a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to serious health issues like infertility. The study focuses on understanding how the female reproductive tract's immune system reacts to this bacterium, particularly the role of specific immune cells in providing protection. By examining these early responses, the research aims to identify potential pathways for developing an effective vaccine against Chlamydia. The approach includes analyzing immune cell behavior and their memory characteristics during initial infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of a vaccine that prevents Chlamydia infections and their associated complications.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some progress in understanding immune responses to other infections, this specific approach to studying Chlamydia immunity is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Lin-Xi — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Li, Lin-Xi
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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.