Why some people's immune systems resist tuberculosis without interferon-gamma
Mechanisms of IFNg-independent T cell and B cell-mediated protection in TB.
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11176845
This project looks at how certain people's T cells and antibodies keep them from getting tuberculosis even when they don't use the usual interferon-gamma signal.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176845 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you've lived with someone who has active TB, researchers will compare people who stay IGRA-negative despite heavy exposure (resisters) to those who test IGRA-positive. They will collect blood samples and study immune cells and antibodies to see how T cells and B cells respond without relying on interferon-gamma. Lab tests will measure antibody class switching, binding strength, and B cell receptor features, and they'll run cellular assays on peripheral blood immune cells. The goal is to map the immune features that link exposure to protection so that future prevention strategies can be guided by these findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with close household exposure to active pulmonary TB, including those who remain IGRA-negative despite heavy exposure and those who convert to IGRA-positive.
Not a fit: People without TB exposure or those with advanced immunosuppression (for example, very low CD4 counts) may not be eligible or see direct benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat TB by harnessing T cell and antibody responses that do not depend on interferon-gamma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have reported IFNγ-independent immune responses and high-affinity antibodies in some exposed people, but translating those observations into protective therapies remains largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SALGAME, PADMINI — RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: SALGAME, PADMINI
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.