Understanding the immune cells that make antiviral interferon
Official title: Molecular Control of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Development and Function
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11480970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are learning how a type of immune cell that makes antiviral interferon develops and acts, which could help people with viral infections or interferon‑linked autoimmune diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2007 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $516,444 |
| NIH project number | 7R37AI072571-20 |
| Project ID | NIH-11480970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions linked to high interferon activity (for example certain autoimmune diseases) or people affected by viral infections would be most relevant to future clinical work stemming from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People with health issues unrelated to interferon or those seeking immediate clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this primarily laboratory-focused project.
What this research studies
This project focuses on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), immune cells that quickly release type I interferons in response to viruses and can also drive autoimmune inflammation. The team will use high‑dimensional single‑cell analyses to map when and how pDCs form and to describe functional differences among mature pDCs. Genetic experiments will identify the transcriptional controls that give pDCs their unique interferon‑producing ability, and in vivo virus models will test how pDCs recognize infection and trigger interferon. The work builds on prior findings (for example, the role of TCF4) to create a detailed molecular view that could guide future therapies aimed at pDCs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce harmful interferon in autoimmune disease or to boost protective antiviral responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified key regulators like TCF4 and single‑cell and genetic approaches have been successful in immune research, but applying them together to fully explain pDC development and function is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reizis, Boris — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Reizis, Boris
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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.