Why some T cells get exhausted during long infections
Phenotypic, Functional and Transcriptional Heterogeneity in T Cell Exhaustion
This project explores how different exhausted CD8 T cells form and behave to help people with chronic viral infections or cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239139 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a long-lasting viral infection or cancer, this work aims to understand why some of your CD8 T cells become exhausted and stop fighting the disease. Researchers will study progenitor CD8 T cells (TPRO) and how they give rise to exhausted and effector cells using animal models, cell samples, and molecular tests to examine gene activity and epigenetic regulators like BACH2 and TCF-1. The team will compare how these T cells behave, renew, and respond during persistent antigen exposure. Findings could point to ways to boost or sustain T cell responses in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic viral infections (such as HIV or hepatitis C) or cancers involving exhausted CD8 T cells would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with short-term (acute) infections or conditions unrelated to T cell dysfunction are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to revive or sustain T cells so they control long-term infections and some cancers better.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies identified transcription factors like TCF-1 and BACH2 as important for progenitor exhausted T cells, but the influence of epigenetic regulators on these cells is less well understood.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cui, Weiguo — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Cui, Weiguo
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.