Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Pittsburgh received a $762,086 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This five-year award supports the development and application of mass spectrometry proteomics tools to characterize protein abundance and phosphorylation patterns in pathogenic T helper 17 (TH17) cells. The research aims to identify signaling networks that drive TH17-mediated neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis, using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. The project will deliver comprehensive systems-level proteomics and phosphoproteomics analyses to distinguish pathogenic TH17 cells from other CD4+ T cell subtypes, with validation through both small molecule inhibition and genetic approaches.

The research addresses a critical therapeutic challenge: developing strategies to block TH17 cells that cause neuroinflammation while preserving protective TH17 populations essential for immune defense against infections. By moving beyond mRNA-based analyses to protein-level characterization, the award will generate novel insights into post-translational modifications that regulate TH17 pathogenicity. The project will produce validated targets for selective intervention in autoimmune disease and identify optimal combinations of small molecule inhibitors for potential therapeutic development, advancing understanding of immune mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis and related autoimmune conditions.