Ways to remove harmful TH17 immune cells in autoimmune conditions
Control of the Survival Pathways in TH17 Cells
This project looks for ways to trigger death in overactive TH17 immune cells so people with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or certain asthma types might have less inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11262281 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying why TH17 immune cells survive and keep driving inflammation in many autoimmune diseases. In the lab they focus on two cell signals, IRE1 and STAT3, and test whether blocking those pathways can make TH17 cells undergo programmed cell death. The work uses cell and animal models to map these survival pathways and to find non-steroid methods that could overcome resistance to current treatments. The goal is to generate knowledge that could guide new therapies aimed at removing the disease-causing immune cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with autoimmune conditions driven by TH17 cells—such as certain forms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or TH17-associated asthma—would be the most likely candidates for future trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose disease is not driven by TH17 cells, or those already well controlled with existing therapies, may not benefit from approaches targeting TH17 survival.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatments that reduce disease by eliminating pathogenic TH17 cells rather than only suppressing symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Some biologic drugs targeting TH17-related signals have helped patients, but directly forcing TH17 cell death is a newer approach with limited prior testing.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Xuexian — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yang, Xuexian
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.