Understanding the body's defense against Toxoplasma gondii infection
T-bet-regulated myeloid innate defense against Toxoplasma gondii
This research looks at how a key immune system component helps the body's defense cells fight off the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11116962 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite, affects many people globally and can lead to serious health problems, particularly for newborns and individuals with weakened immune systems. Current treatments are often toxic and only effective during the initial stage of infection, highlighting a critical need for new, safer medications. This project aims to understand how a specific immune system protein, T-bet, helps the body's defense cells, called myeloid cells, fight off this parasite. While T-bet is known to help other immune cells produce a protective signal, this work suggests it also plays a unique, direct role in helping myeloid cells survive and combat the infection. By defining T-bet's specific actions in myeloid cells, we hope to uncover new ways to develop more effective treatments for toxoplasmosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who suffer from toxoplasmosis, particularly those with severe or chronic forms of the infection, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this basic understanding.
Not a fit: Patients without Toxoplasma gondii infection would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to the development of new, more effective, and less toxic treatments for toxoplasmosis, especially for those who are immunocompromised or have congenital infections.
How similar studies have performed: This research explores a novel, T-bet-dependent, IFN-γ-independent anti-parasitic response in myeloid cells, suggesting a new direction beyond previously understood immune mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lopez-Yglesias, Americo Harry — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Lopez-Yglesias, Americo Harry
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 below.