Understanding T cell dysfunction in a severe tropical disease
Official title: CD4+ T cell dysfunction during visceral leishmaniasis
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10738815 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a type of immune cell called CD4+ T cells stops working properly in people with visceral leishmaniasis, a serious tropical disease, to help find better treatments or vaccines for it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | November 10, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $192,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173440-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10738815 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis or those at high risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of leishmaniasis, such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how CD4+ T cells, which are crucial for immune response, become dysfunctional during visceral leishmaniasis, a serious tropical disease. The study aims to identify specific immune responses and mechanisms that lead to T cell exhaustion in patients infected with Leishmania parasites. By using advanced techniques to track these immune cells, the research seeks to uncover why the immune system fails to control the infection effectively. This knowledge could pave the way for developing better treatments or vaccines for this neglected disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments or vaccines for visceral leishmaniasis, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have gone: While research on T cell dysfunction in other diseases has shown promise, this specific investigation into visceral leishmaniasis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nice, Timothy J. — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Nice, Timothy J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how a protein affects nerve cell movement in Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how a protein called APP affects the growth and movement of nerve cells, which is important for understanding Alzheimer's disease, and it aims to find out how problems with this protein might lead to nerve cell damage.
-
Understanding how the bone marrow environment drives AML resistance
A large NIH-funded project at Oregon Health & Science University is studying how the body’s own cell surroundings help acute myeloid leukemia become resistant to treatment, with potential paths to better therapies for patients.
-
Improving Safety at Work with a Low-Resource mHealth Program in Malaysia (and beyond)
A low-cost mobile health program to improve safety culture in Malaysian workplaces, with plans to adapt the approach for U.S. workers in high-risk industries.
-
Oregon Healthy Workplace Initiative for Better Health
A multi-site effort aims to improve the health and safety of workers by coordinating research, tools, and interventions across workplaces.
-
Understanding how AML cells become resistant to therapy over time
This project looks at why acute myeloid leukemia stops responding to treatment and how to design better drug combinations to prevent relapse.
-
Mechanisms and Countermeasures for Ultra-Potent Synthetic Opioid Overdose
A small, focused NIH grant aims to understand why ultra-potent synthetic opioids cause severe overdose and to explore potential countermeasures to keep people safe.
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.