Using GABA to control immune inflammation in autoimmune and allergic diseases
Official title: Decipher and target GABA metabolism and GABA receptor-mediated signaling in autoimmune diseases
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11290423 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether changing how immune cells use the natural chemical GABA can lower harmful inflammation in autoimmune and allergic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | February 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,589 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175004-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290423 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with autoimmune or severe allergic diseases driven by T-cell inflammation would be the most likely candidates for future clinical testing related to this work.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose conditions are not driven by T-cell inflammation or whose illnesses are unrelated to autoimmune/allergic pathways are less likely to benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how T cells make and respond to GABA and how that affects inflammatory behavior. They will map metabolites outside cells, use stable-isotope tracing, and analyze metabolic gene activity to trace how GABA is produced and used. The team will manipulate the ABAT enzyme and GABA receptors with genetic and drug approaches in cells and animal models to see whether altering these pathways reduces disease signs. The aim is to identify GABA-related targets that could be developed into treatments for T cell–driven autoimmune and allergic conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce harmful T-cell inflammation in autoimmune and allergic diseases by targeting GABA metabolism or receptors.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and animal studies have shown that changing GABA metabolism or GABA receptor signaling can alter T-cell inflammation, but this approach has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Ruoning — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Wang, Ruoning
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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.