Understanding how tuberculosis germs activate our immune cells
Official title: M. tuberculosis metabolites to activate human mucosal-associated invariant T cells
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11126577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks for new ways to boost our body's natural defenses against tuberculosis by understanding how the bacteria trigger special immune cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $607,459 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173245-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit anyone at risk of or suffering from tuberculosis, particularly those with drug-resistant forms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are not related to tuberculosis or bacterial infections would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global health concern, and drug-resistant forms make it even harder to treat. Our bodies have special immune cells, called MAIT cells, that are designed to quickly respond to bacterial infections like TB. This project aims to discover the specific signals, or metabolites, that tuberculosis bacteria produce to activate these MAIT cells. By understanding how these immune cells are triggered, we hope to find new ways to strengthen our body's defense against TB and develop more effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies or vaccines that help our immune system fight tuberculosis more effectively, especially against drug-resistant strains.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that MAIT cells play a protective role against tuberculosis in both mice and humans, though existing methods for activating them have had mixed results.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Shouxiong — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Huang, Shouxiong
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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.