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Development of an organoid model for studying endemic Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis

Award Number: R03AI202278
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: 07/22/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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Development of an organoid model for studying endemic Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis - Project Summary Endemic Burkitt lymphoma (eBL) is an aggressive B-cell malignancy that primarily affects children in sub- Saharan Africa, where it accounts for most childhood cancers. Epidemiological data indicate that co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Plasmodium falciparum is essential for initiating malignant progression in eBL. However, evidence supporting a mechanistic interaction between these two pathogens in the development of eBL remains limited. In vitro cell lines and animal models have provided valuable insights into the biology and pathogenesis of gammaherpesviruses and Plasmodium. Nonetheless, EBV and P. falciparum preferentially infect humans over mice. Additionally, cell lines do not replicate the cellular environment of lymphoid tissue, where EBV establishes latency and B-cell transformation occurs. Therefore, additional models are needed to validate findings from mice and cell lines and to advance research in this area. Here, we propose to test the hypothesis that tonsillar organoids can serve as a useful co-infection model to explore how P. falciparum promotes the ability of EBV to transform B cells. To answer this question, we will first assess the ability of EBV to establish latency within B cells in the organoids (Aim 1), and determine whether P. falciparum-infected red blood cells can induce a humoral response in the organoids that leads to germinal center formation (Aim 2), the likely site of B cell transformation. Successful completion of these aims will establish a method for using human tissue to investigate fundamental questions about the immune response to these pathogens. Moreover, this approach will enable us to assess the capacity of the organoids to support B-cell transformation and identify factors involved in malignant transformation during co-infection.


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 = $75,074 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES	4301 W MARKHAM ST	LITTLE ROCK	AR	72205	PULASKI	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	7/22/2026	NEW	$75,074
														Subtotal = $75,074

Grand Total All Awards = $75,074

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Development of an organoid model for studying endemic Burkitt lymphoma pathogenesis

Award Number: R03AI202278

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: 07/22/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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