Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Characterizing the interplay between IL-17 and macrophage immunometabolism during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Award Number: F31AI203063
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/11/2027
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/10/2028

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Characterizing the interplay between IL-17 and macrophage immunometabolism during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection - PROJECT ABSTRACT Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the leading causes of death around the world and caused 1.23 million deaths globally in 2024. Mtb infects alveolar macrophages, replicates intracellularly and evades their antimicrobial functions, leading to granuloma formation and lung damage. While interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) released by Th1 cells reprograms macrophage and induces anti-mycobacterial activity, this cytokine partially controls Mtb infection and is not sufficient to confer protective immunity against TB. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) released by Th17 cells has been shown to be important for providing protective immunity to Mtb, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our preliminary data using murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs), fluorescently labeled Mtb H37Rv and high-dimensional flow cytometry show that IL-17 does not upregulate the characteristic cell surface and effector responses that are induced by IFN-γ. Instead, Mtb infection alone, and in the context of IL-17 or IFN-γ stimulation, leads to down-regulation of IL-17 receptor expression on macrophages. We hypothesize that IL-17 induces a distinct immunometabolic profile in macrophages that promotes protective immunity against Mtb infection. We will test this hypothesis by characterizing the impact of IFN-γ versus IL-17 on the transcriptional, metabolic, and anti- mycobacterial responses of Mtb-infected macrophages. In Aim 1, we will assess IL-17R regulation and compare the impact of IFN-γ and IL-17, singly and in combination, on macrophage antimicrobial and effector functions during Mtb infection over time. To assess the regulation of IL-17 signaling in Mtb infected macrophages, we will use immunofluorescent microscopy, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry to study how the IL-17 receptor and downstream genes are regulated in macrophages. We will use flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine/chemokine assays, and single cell RNAseq to assess macrophage cellular and transcriptional responses. In Aim 2, we will define how IL-17 regulates macrophage immunometabolism during Mtb infection. We will use metabolic inhibitors, flow cytometry and transcriptomics to study macrophage metabolism. Finally, we will characterize the regulation IL-17 signaling and immunometabolism in Mtb infected lung macrophages from infected mice in vivo to validate key host pathways from our in vitro assays. Our studies will reveal novel immune evasion mechanisms mediated by Mtb and illuminate host factors that determine protective immunity to Mtb in macrophages. Moreover, this study will highlight the mechanistic role of key correlates of protective immunity to TB which will inform therapeutic strategies and vaccine development.


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 = $50,114 )
2026	2026	EMORY UNIVERSITY	201 DOWMAN DR NE	ATLANTA	GA	30322	DEKALB	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	8/11/2026	NEW	$50,114
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Characterizing the interplay between IL-17 and macrophage immunometabolism during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Award Number: F31AI203063

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/11/2027

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/10/2028

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer