Award
NIH Reporter #2R01AI088364-16A1
Inborn errors of immunity underlying herpes simplex encephalitis
Recipient
Rockefeller University
Award Amount
$611,897.00
Ceiling
$611,897.00
Awarded
February 18, 2026
Identifier
2R01AI088364-16A1
NIH grant awarded to Rockefeller University for research on genetic and immunological causes of herpes simplex encephalitis using advanced genomic sequencing techniques.
Description
This project aims to investigate the genetic and immunological factors underlying herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) encephalitis (HSE). The research focuses on identifying monogenic inborn errors of CNS-intrinsic immunity to HSV-1 and autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (AAN-I-IFNs) that may contribute to HSE in children and adults. The study will utilize next-generation sequencing approaches, including whole exome sequencing (WES), whole genome sequencing (WGS), and RNA sequencing (RNAseq), to discover novel genetic etiologies. The project builds on previous findings of genetic mutations affecting immune pathways such as TLR3, IFNAR1, STAT2, TYK2, RIPK3, and others. The research aims to expand the cohort of HSE patients, analyze genetic data at both population and individual levels, and perform mechanistic studies to establish causality.