Ways to stop iron theft by intracellular bacteria that cause tick-borne illnesses
Official title: Keys to prevent iron hijacking and infection by intracellular pathogenic bacteria
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11572324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how certain bacteria that live inside human cells steal iron from the host and to test new ways to block that process to prevent infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $470,925 |
| NIH project number | 2R56AI151065-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with or at risk for Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections or related tick-borne diseases could benefit from future therapies developed from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without these infections are unlikely to benefit directly from the study outcomes.
What this research studies
Tick-borne rickettsial infections are a serious health issue. The research focuses on how intracellular bacteria acquire iron, a vital nutrient, by using host cell pathways such as ferritin binding and autophagy. The team will study additional iron-gathering mechanisms in Anaplasma phagocytophilum and test anti-bacterial nanobodies and lipid nanoparticle delivery to hinder infection in cells and animal models. The work could reveal new targets to develop therapies that limit bacterial growth by cutting off their iron supply. Findings may lead to novel treatments to protect people affected by these infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies or therapies that prevent or reduce infections from tick-borne rickettsial bacteria by blocking iron access.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show that intracellular nanobodies can inhibit infection in vitro and in mice, suggesting potential for translation to human therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rikihisa, Yasuko — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Rikihisa, Yasuko
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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.