Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

Natural Killer Cell Recruitment and Differentiation

Award Number: R21AI183000
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: 07/10/2025
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Natural Killer Cell Recruitment and Differentiation - Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) provide early immunity against pathogens and maintain tissue homeostasis. The best-studied ILCs are the natural killer (NK) cells that circulate in the blood, tissues, and lymph, and target virally infected and transformed cells to eliminate them. The type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s) do not circulate but reside near epithelial surfaces to protect against pathogens and maintain mucosal barrier integrity. In the uterine mucosa, we identified an abundant tissue-resident NK subset along with the less frequent ILC1s and cNK cells. We previously reported that the tissue-resident NK cells are specialized to the uterine mucosa and makeup 70% of the immune cells before and during pregnancy. Despite extensive research, fundamental gaps in our knowledge remain regarding the origin, differentiation, and function of tissue-resident NK cells in the uterine mucosa. Sex hormones such as progesterone induce the uterine mucosa to undergo cyclical tissue remodeling during the estrous cycle and critical uterine tissue transformation in pregnancy. In addition to progesterone’s role in reproduction, there is growing evidence of progesterone modulating immune cell function to affect the outcome of infections at mucosal sites. Indeed, we present preliminary data to support a pathway of progesterone-induced tissue-resident NK cell differentiation that is mediated through circulating cNK cells in the uterine mucosa. To test the hypothesis that circulating cNK cells encounter progesterone in the uterine mucosa, differentiate into tissue-resident NK cells, and are tolerant during pregnancy we propose the following Specific Aims: 1) Determine the signals that differentiate cNK cells-derived NK cells in the uterine mucosa. Elucidate if cNK-derived tissue-resident NK cells require direct progesterone signaling to drive normal pregnancy. 2) Investigate the function of cNK-derived tissue-resident NK cells in pregnancy. Determine if progesterone abrogates the cytotoxicity of cNK-derived tissue-resident NK cells thereby contributing to tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus. Thus, the goal of these studies is to better understand the tissue-resident NK cell origin, tissue-specific signals that govern their differentiation, and their function in the uterine mucosal tissue.


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 = $184,568 )
2026	2026	LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	2160 S 1ST AVE	MAYWOOD	IL	60153	COOK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	2	6/16/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$184,568
														Subtotal = $184,568

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $223,068 )
2025	2025	LOYOLA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	2160 S 1ST AVE	MAYWOOD	IL	60153	COOK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	7/18/2025	NEW	$223,068
														Subtotal = $223,068

Grand Total All Awards = $407,636

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Natural Killer Cell Recruitment and Differentiation

Award Number: R21AI183000

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: 07/10/2025

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2027

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer