What controls interferon-making plasmacytoid dendritic cells
Identification of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Regulators
This project looks for genes and proteins that control interferon-producing immune cells to help people with interferon-related autoimmune conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235881 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use a newly developed plasmacytoid dendritic cell line (called 4C1) to identify the factors that make these cells produce type I interferons or become ‘exhausted.’ They will run genome-wide CRISPR screens and follow-up molecular tests to pinpoint genes and pathways that turn interferon production on or off. The team will compare results with mouse and human data to make sure the findings apply to human autoimmune diseases. Identified regulators could become targets for future therapies to reduce harmful interferon activity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with interferon-driven autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or genetic interferonopathies, are the most relevant patient group.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to type I interferon signaling (for example degenerative joint disease or non-immune injuries) are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets to lower harmful interferon activity in autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Individual regulators like IRF7 have been identified before, but a genome-wide CRISPR screen in an improved pDC cell line is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuniga, Elina I — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Zuniga, Elina I
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.