Vascular signals from brain blood vessels influence immune-suppressing cells in glioblastoma
Official title: Vascular-macrophage crosstalk in GBM immunosuppression
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11583676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how blood vessel cells in glioblastoma shape immune cells to help the tumor grow, with the aim of making immunotherapies work better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $310,501 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM134973-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11583676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or related brain tumors, or who have brain tumor tissue samples available for study.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GBM or without access to tumor tissue or related samples may not benefit.
What this research studies
Glioblastoma often evades immune-based treatments because immune-suppressing macrophages in the tumor dampen T-cell activity. The project examines how vascular cells in the brain tumor environment interact with GAMs to drive immunosuppressive behavior. By studying cell signals and gene expression, researchers hope to identify targets that could reprogram GAMs and improve anti-tumor immunity. The work combines laboratory experiments with analyses of patient data to understand how these interactions affect disease progression. If successful, this could lead to new strategies to enhance responses to existing therapies for GBM patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach succeeds, patients with glioblastoma could benefit from more effective immunotherapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that targeting tumor-associated immune cells can alter the tumor environment, but detailed mechanisms involving GAMs and vascular signals are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muthukrishnan, Sree Deepthi — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Muthukrishnan, Sree Deepthi
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Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)
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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.