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Metabolic regulation of the germinal center microenvironment

Award Number: F30AI202590
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/25/2027
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/24/2028

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Metabolic regulation of the germinal center microenvironment - PROJECT SUMMARY Autoimmune diseases are debilitating conditions that cause significant morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting young to middle-aged women. These conditions are driven by pathogenic autoantibodies produced through dysregulated germinal center (GC) responses. Under physiologic conditions, GCs produce high affinity antibodies that recognize and neutralize pathogens. Most research investigating dysregulated GC responses in autoimmunity has focused on B and T cell contributions. However, the role of the GC microenvironment in regulating GC reactions remains largely unknown. Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDCs) are critical stromal cells that organize GCs. FDCs have traditionally been viewed as static cells that retain antigen long-term and facilitate selection of high-affinity B cells. However, recent findings reveal dynamic features of FDCs, as they expand and undergo morphological changes during GC reactions. The metabolic reprogramming adapted for their functional changes during healthy and dysregulated GC responses is unknown. The hypothesis of this project is that FDCs undergo differential dynamic metabolic reprogramming during GC reactions and regulate the availability of key nutrients and metabolic byproducts in the GC microenvironment, thereby influencing GC B cell expansion, selection, and affinity maturation. Aim 1 will elucidate FDC-intrinsic metabolic and kinetic reprogramming in healthy and dysregulated germinal center responses. Aim 2 will explore the metabolic crosstalk between B cells and FDCs and its impact on GC reactions. The proposed research will reveal novel mechanisms by which FDCs support GC function in health and disease and will establish FDCs as active metabolic gatekeepers rather than passive structural scaffolds. These findings will inform targeted therapeutic strategies to treat antibody-mediated autoimmunity by modulating the GC metabolic microenvironment. Combined with an intensive training plan and strong mentorship, this project will serve as a critical training platform to foster the development of the knowledge, skills, and independence required for success as a physician-scientist in rheumatology and immunology.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $43,861 )
2026	2026	HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY	128 HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY	HEMPSTEAD	NY	11549	NASSAU	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	8/26/2026	NEW	$43,861
														Subtotal = $43,861

Grand Total All Awards = $43,861

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Metabolic regulation of the germinal center microenvironment

Award Number: F30AI202590

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/25/2027

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/24/2028

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