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Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling in Cell Intrinsic Immunity

Award Number: R01AI155808
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/08/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling in Cell Intrinsic Immunity - PROJECT SUMMARY The phagocytes of the immune system require a rapid burst of energy to phagocytose and kill pathogens in a timely manner. Energy demanding macromolecular complexes such as vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) complexes are recruited to the phagosome to acidify, oxidize, kill, and digest the pathogenic cargo. Reprogramming of the metabolic machinery by gene expression is too slow to meet the sharply increased demand for energy and metabolites. How do the sentinel phagocytes transmit the recognition of pathogens to switch the primary gears of cellular metabolism so rapidly? Our preliminary data indicated that the Ca2+-selective, mitochondrial ion channel, MCU, plays a crucial role in the signaling circuits that rapidly connect the sensory receptors of pathogens to the metabolic outputs necessary for phagosomal killing. Pursuing these tantalizing leads has now laid a strong scientific foundation to hypothesize that assembly of phagosome-mitochondria proximity architecture (PMPA) and mitochondrial Ca2+-signaling fuels cell-intrinsic immunity. In Aim1, we define the mechanisms underlying mitochondria-phagosome interactions triggered by C. albicans. In Aim 2, we define mechanisms through which mCa2+-signaling is regulated in activated macrophages. In Aim 3, we define the key metabolic outputs of mCa2+-signaling that drive microbial killing. This research is conceptually innovative because it unravels fascinating new connections between pathogen mitochondrial physiology, immunometabolism and microbial killing. Innovations include tools to monitor mCa2+-elevations in primary macrophages executing phagocytosis and Electron Tomography based 3D reconstructions of Mitochondria-Phagosome interactions. The research has the potential to reveal design principles that are of salience to other specialized phagocytic processes such as clearance of apoptotic cells, toxic debris, and synaptic pruning. From a translational/preclinical perspective, our findings may reveal novel molecular targets and pathways for new immunomodulatory therapies.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $560,679 )
2025	2025	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 EMMET ST N	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	5	5/23/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$560,679
														Subtotal = $560,679

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $560,679 )
2024	2024	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 EMMET ST N	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	6/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$560,679
														Subtotal = $560,679

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $560,679 )
2023	2023	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 N EMMET ST	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	5/17/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$560,679
														Subtotal = $560,679

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $560,679 )
2022	2022	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 N EMMET ST	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	5/10/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$560,679
														Subtotal = $560,679

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $560,679 )
2021	2021	RECTOR & VISITORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA	1001 N EMMET ST	CHARLOTTESVILLE	VA	22903	CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/8/2021	NEW	$560,679
														Subtotal = $560,679

Grand Total All Awards = $2,803,395

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Mitochondrial Calcium Signaling in Cell Intrinsic Immunity

Award Number: R01AI155808

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/08/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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