Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts
NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CME) is responsible for more than 15% of the total deaths of AIDS patients. The disease claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year, with global mortality rates of ~70% de- spite antifungal therapies. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine clinically available or in clinical trials for cryptococ- cosis. We previously showed that the morphotype of this fungus has a profound effect on its interaction with various hosts. In mammalian models of cryptococcosis, the yeast form is pathogenic while the filamentous form is not. We established that the transcription factor Znf2, which drives filamentous growth, is a powerful anti-virulence regulator. Cryptococcal cells overexpressing ZNF2 (ZNF2oe) are avirulent and elicit strong and long-lasting protective immunity, which serves as an effective vaccine against subsequent lethal challenges. Importantly, we showed that once mice are vaccinated with ZNF2oe cells, their CD4+ T cells are dispen- sable for protection at the time of fungal challenge. Furthermore, vaccination with ZNF2oe cells pro- vides significant protection against cryptococcosis even in hosts with pre-existing CD4+ T cell defi- ciency (mimics AIDS patients). These findings are important because the majority of cryptococcosis patients are AIDS patients with low CD4+ T cell counts, and our preclinical studies suggest that cryptococcal vaccines could be effective in these individuals. The specific goals of this exploratory R21 application are to identify cell types (Aim 1) and cytokine profiles (Aim 2) important for ZNF2oe vaccine-induced immunity and host protection in CD4+ T cell-defi- cient hosts. The findings from the proposed work will identify correlates of protection (COPs) that will help guide the design of safer and effective subunit protein vaccines or nucleic acid-based vaccines in the future. Our long-term goal is to develop vaccines that could protect the most vulnerable populations from deadly cryp- tococcal meningoencephalitis.
Grant Summary
Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts is a NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases grant providing up to $401K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-01-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $401K
2028-01-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases before the deadline.
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Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts?
Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts is offered by NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts provide?
Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts provides up to $401K per award from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts deadline?
Applications for Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts are due 2028-01-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts?
To apply for Immunity induced by cryptococcal morphological strains in CD4+ T cell-deficient hosts, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.