The National Institute on Aging (NIA) awarded a 5-year, $777,535 Project Grant under the Aging Research program (CFDA 93.866) to Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. The grant supports research to determine how biological sex influences the long-term persistence and self-renewal of B1 cells, a subset of immune cells that produce natural antibodies, in mice and humans. The goal is to elucidate the mechanisms behind the differential maintenance of natural immunity in aged males versus females, which could inform the development of strategies to promote healthy immunity in older populations. Through this award, the researchers will utilize advanced genetic techniques to track the origin and cell cycle dynamics of B1 cells according to age and sex, with the aim of understanding how B1 cell self-renewal is regulated and how it differs between aged males and females.
Generated 3/4/25, 5:02 AM