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Iron regulation of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and immunity

Award Number: R21AI161298
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: 03/02/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2023

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Iron regulation of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and immunity - Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasma) causes an acute infection characterized by replicating tachyzoites that eventually develops into a chronic infection characterized by persisting bradyzoite stage Toxoplasma cysts in the brain and central nervous system. Chronic Toxoplasma infection affects ~30% of the United States population and during immune deficiency cysts reactivate and cause a severe Toxoplasmic encephalitis. There are currently no drugs or therapies that are effective at preventing cyst development or eliminating cysts in chronically infected individuals. The biology underpinning Toxoplasma cyst development, reactivation, and host immune control of acute and chronic infection is still poorly understood. From current evidence and preliminary data, we hypothesize that iron availability regulates parasite differentiation, cyst reactivation, and the effectiveness of the CD8+ T cell immune response in controlling acute infection and in preventing cyst reactivation. In Aim 1 we will investigate the role of iron sensing by the Toxoplasma Iron Regulatory Protein in differentiation and cyst reactivation. In Aim 2 we will investigate the role of iron availability in the development of CD8+ T cell mediated immunity and in the control of chronic cysts by CD8+ T cells. These two specific aims will test our novel hypothesis that iron regulates parasite stage differentiation and host immunity to acute and chronic infection. These high impact experiments are expected to define key iron regulated mechanisms that act on the parasite as well as the host to control differentiation, reactivation, and host immune control of infection. These studies address significant current gaps in knowledge that are major barriers to progress in the field.


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: 2024 ( Subtotal = -$1 )
2024	2022	UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING	1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE	LARAMIE	WY	82071	ALBANY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	1/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$1
														Subtotal = -$1

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $219,075 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING	1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE DEPARTMENT 3434	LARAMIE	WY	82071	ALBANY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	3/10/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$219,075
														Subtotal = $219,075

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $193,935 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING	1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE DEPARTMENT 3434	LARAMIE	WY	82071	ALBANY	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	3/2/2021	NEW	$193,935
														Subtotal = $193,935

Grand Total All Awards = $413,009

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Iron regulation of chronic Toxoplasma gondii infection and immunity

Award Number: R21AI161298

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: 03/02/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2023

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