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Regulators of IFN-gamma responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Award Number: R01AI165618
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: 07/06/2022
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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Regulators of IFN-gamma responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection - Summary Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death by infectious disease worldwide. Current therapy requires at least six months of treatment and there is no effective vaccine that prevents pulmonary disease. There is a critical need to develop new therapies that will shorten treatment time and activate protective responses to prevent TB progression. Unfortunately, we continue to lack a fundamental understanding of the host immune pathways that protect against TB. While the cytokine interferon γ (IFNγ) is absolutely required, the precise mechanisms that drive IFNγ-mediated protection remain unclear. This is because IFNγ is a pleotropic mediator that controls both bacterial growth and the inflammatory response in the lungs, while bridging the innate and adaptive immune responses. To dissect the complex regulation of IFNγ responses, we conducted a genome-wide CRISPR Cas9 screens in macrophages to define the networks required for the IFNγ-mediated surface expression of MHCII. This screen uncovered an important role for the glycerol 3 kinase beta (GSK3b) in controlling IFNγ-dependent MHCII expression. Using chemical and genetic approaches coupled with transcriptome analysis we found that GSK3b and the paralog GSK3a contribute to the expression of a subset of IFNγ-inducible genes. Further mechanistic studies found that the loss of GSK3a/b blocks the ability of macrophages to serve as antigen presenting cells to CD4+ T cells ex vivo and results in dysregulated cytokine production by macrophages during M. tuberculosis infection. Thus, GSK3a/b balances the cellular response to IFNγ to protect against infection without driving inflammatory tissue damage. These data lead to the hypothesis that GSK3a/b is a critical mediator of the IFNγ response during TB in vivo. This proposal will use genetic approaches combined with in vivo models to dissect the role of GSK3a/b-mediated control of IFNγ responses and TB. Aim 1 will understand the mechanisms that regulate GSK3a/b control of IFNγ responses and determine how M. tuberculosis modulates GSK3a/b activity. In Aim 2, we will use unique models of bacterial control and inflammation to examine how the loss of myeloid-specific GSK3a and/or GSK3b disrupts the IFNγ-mediated control of M. tuberculosis growth and tissue damage. Finally, in Aim 3 we will use M. tuberculosis specific TCR-transgenic T cell mice to test the hypothesis that the loss of myeloid GSK3a and/or GSK3b results in reduced T cell responses and ineffective protection against TB. Together these aims will dissect the role of GSK3a/b in controlling IFNγ-responses and protecting against TB. These mechanisms can then be leveraged to develop new therapies that may shorten treatment times and prevent TB disease progression.


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 = $523,984 )
2025	2025	MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY	426 AUDITORIUM RD RM 2	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	4	7/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$523,984
														Subtotal = $523,984

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $523,984 )
2024	2024	MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY	426 AUDITORIUM RD RM 2	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	6/26/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$523,984
														Subtotal = $523,984

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $523,984 )
2023	2023	MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY	426 AUDITORIUM RD RM 2	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	6/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$523,984
														Subtotal = $523,984

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $523,984 )
2022	2022	MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY	426 AUDITORIUM RD RM 2	EAST LANSING	MI	48824	INGHAM	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	7/5/2022	NEW	$523,984
														Subtotal = $523,984

Grand Total All Awards = $2,095,936

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Regulators of IFN-gamma responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Award Number: R01AI165618

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: 07/06/2022

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

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