The Lundquist Institute is proud to announce that Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD and his research team have been awarded a highly competitive $3.3 million, five-year R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This award recognizes the lab’s groundbreaking work on the pulmonary neuroimmune determinants of immunoglobulin production against pneumonia.
The project addresses one of the most pressing challenges in respiratory medicine: community-acquired pneumonia, most often caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. While antibody production is known to be critical for fighting such infections, Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD’s research focuses on an underexplored but potentially game-changing aspect of the immune system: the role of the sensory nervous system in regulating antibody production.
Uncovering a New Frontier in Immunity
Recent evidence from Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD’s lab shows that sensory neurons are not just passive messengers of pain or temperature, but that they actively help regulate immune responses. His team’s preliminary studies reveal that sensory neurons release neuropeptides that stimulate B cell maturation and antibody production, interact with neutrophils to clear infection, and may even detect antigens directly. This represents a novel neuronal circuit in immunity, with the potential to inform entirely new therapeutic strategies.
Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD new project will investigate:
- How sensory neurons promote B cell development and immunoglobulin production through neuropeptide signaling.
- The interactions between sensory neurons, B cells, and neutrophils during bacterial lung infection.
- A newly identified sensory neuron immune recognition pathway that could lead to future drug targets.
A Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Effort
The NIH award supports a wide range of advanced research methods, from flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing to electrophysiology and calcium imaging. The grant also funds consortium collaborations with the University of Southern California and the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, ensuring access to top-tier expertise and facilities.
Potential for Major Public Health Impact
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of illness and death worldwide, particularly in vulnerable populations. By uncovering how neurons influence immune defense, Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD’s work could pave the way for novel immunotherapies, reducing reliance on antibiotics and addressing antibiotic resistance.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and vision of our entire lab,” said Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD. “We’re excited to explore this uncharted intersection of neuroscience and immunology, and we believe our findings could open entirely new avenues for preventing and treating pneumonia.”