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The Role of Macrophages in Immune Responses to Giardia

Award Number: R15AI109591
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: 07/01/2014
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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The Role of Macrophages in Immune Responses to Giardia - Abstract Giardia lamblia is the most common protozoan cause of diarrhea in the world. It infects ~500 million people worldwide, often resulting in nutrient malabsorption which can lead to physical and cognitive developmental defects in children. Paradoxically, recent data also indicate that the presence of Giardia is associated with reduced levels of moderate-to-severe diarrhea in children. The infection is transmitted by ingestion of cysts and the cyst wall contains large amounts of N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) polymer. The macrophage galactose-binding lectin (MGL) is the dominant lectin capable of recognizing GalNAc. Our hypothesis is that recognition of cyst wall material by MGL plays a significant role in determining the outcome of infections by modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Specifically, we hypothesize that stimulation of macrophages through MGL1 potentiates the production of IL-10 in response to other activating signals such as the presence of bacteria. This IL-10 may enhance parasite persistence, but also limits pathology and decreases disease severity. We will address these hypotheses utilizing in vitro cultures of macrophages derived from MGL1 deficient mice. We will also analyze infections with Giardia, alone and in combination with another parasite known to induce severe inflammatory pathology in mice, using mice deficient in MGL1 as well as mice lacking macrophages. We will assay the parasite burdens and markers of pathology during infections. Bone marrow chimeras will be used to identify roles of MGL1 on specific cell types.


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 = -$38,411 )
2026	2021	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	12/16/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$38,411
														Subtotal = -$38,411

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2023	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	7/31/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
2024	2021	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	3	7/31/2024	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $158,826 )
2023	2023	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	6/22/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$158,826
2023	2021	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	002	3	8/23/2023	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$3,548
2023	2018	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	MAIN CAMPUS	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	2/2/2023	COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$3,548
														Subtotal = $158,826

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $453,551 )
2021	2021	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH AND O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	3	8/6/2021	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$453,551
2021	2018	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH AND O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	8/5/2021	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $453,551

Issue Date FY: 2018 ( Subtotal = $466,500 )
2018	2018	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH & O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	001	2	2/9/2018	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$466,500
2018	2014	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH & O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	2/8/2018	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $466,500

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2017	2014	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (THE)	37TH & O ST NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	4/10/2017	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = $466,500 )
2014	2014	GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY	37TH & O STREETS, NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20057	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	6/20/2014	NEW	$466,500
														Subtotal = $466,500

Grand Total All Awards = $1,506,966

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The Role of Macrophages in Immune Responses to Giardia

Award Number: R15AI109591

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: 07/01/2014

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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