Where B cells at the brain and spinal cord borders come from and how they change with age and autoimmunity
Ontogenetic niche of B cells at the CNS borders in homeostasis, aging and autoimmunity
This work looks at how B cells near the brain and spinal cord originate and behave in people with conditions like multiple sclerosis and lupus that affect the nervous system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261729 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will trace B cells that live at the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord to see whether they arise from nearby skull bone marrow or from the rest of the body. They will use animal models, cell‑tracing methods, tissue analysis, and imaging to follow B cell movement and maturation during normal aging and during autoimmune inflammation. The team will compare locally educated B cells to those coming from the periphery to learn which are tolerant and which may become autoreactive. Findings aim to explain how harmful B cells reach the central nervous system and how aging changes that balance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with multiple sclerosis or neuropsychiatric lupus (SLE affecting the brain) — especially those with active disease or changes in symptoms — are the patients most directly relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without central nervous system autoimmune disease, or those seeking immediate new treatments, are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to more precise ways to target harmful B cells and reduce brain and spinal cord damage in MS and neuropsychiatric lupus.
How similar studies have performed: B‑cell–depleting therapies have helped many people with MS, but the specific idea that skull bone marrow supplies meningeal B cells and how aging alters this is a newer area of research.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Colonna, Marco — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Colonna, Marco
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.