Modeling Host-Pathogen Interaction Using Lymphoid Organoids
Staphylococcal Infections
What this study involves
The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.
- Study type
- Observational
- Phase
- Not applicable / not listed
- Age range
- 2 years - 120 years
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 500 Estimated
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) are bacteria that can make people sick. Sometimes, an S. aureus infection can develop inside the spine; these infections can lead to paralysis and death. Researchers do not know how S. aureus interacts with a person s cells to cause infections in the spine.
Objective:
To learn how S. aureus interacts with cells in the body using tissues from tonsils discarded after standard surgery to remove them.
Eligibility:
People aged 2 years and older who are scheduled to have their tonsils removed.
Design:
Researchers will select participants for the study based on review of their existing medical records, including results of blood tests; any imaging scans, including x-rays; and reports about tissue specimens.
Participants will answer questionnaires about their health and past infections. They can do this online or on paper.
Participants will collect a nasal swab 1 week before their surgery. They will be given a tool that looks like a long cotton swab. They will twirl it around inside their nose. The swab will pick up cells and fluids that will be used for research.
After their surgery, the participant s surgeon will save samples of tonsil tissue. The surgeon will send these tissue samples and the nasal swab to researchers at the NIH.
These tissues and the swab will be used in studies to help researchers understand how S. aureus interacts with cells in the body. They hope these studies will help them find better ways to treat S. aureus infections.
Read the full description
STUDY DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this study is to collect tonsil tissues that are routinely discarded after tonsillectomy procedures to develop lymphoid organoid models to evaluate host-pathogen interactions in human health and disease. One such interaction is the human immunotolerance mechanism to the Chemotaxis Inhibitory Protein of S. aureus (CHIPS).
OBJECTIVES:
Primary Objectives:
-Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Secondary Objective:
-Modulate anti-CHIPS IgG4 class switching through variation of primary and costimulatory signals.
ENDPOINTS:
Primary Endpoints:
Differences between the following within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS:
- Immune cell composition.
- Anti-CHIPS antibody levels, including total and subclasses of IgG and their neutralizing capacity.
- Cytokine levels.
- Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) levels.
- Single-cell inference of class switch recombination (sciCSR).
Secondary Endpoints:
Differences between the following modulation of primary and costimulatory signals:
- Immune cell composition.
- Anti-CHIPS antibody levels, including total and subclasses of IgG and their neutralizing capacity.
- Cytokine levels.
- AID levels.
- sciCSR
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:
- Aged \>=2 yrs.
- Undergoing tonsillectomy as part of their clinical care.
- Able to provide informed consent (for ages \>=18 years) or has a parent or guardian who can provide informed consent on their behalf (for ages \<18 yrs).
- Willing to allow samples and data to be stored and shared for future secondary research.
- Willing to allow future genetic testing on their biospecimens.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
- Active infection.
- Active tonsilitis.
- Pregnant.
- Diagnosed with an immunosuppressive condition or currently taking immunosuppressive medications.
- Current or past intravenous drug use.
- Any condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, may put the participant at undue risk or make them unsuitable for participation in the study
Study population
Patients undergoing tonsillectomy as part of their clinical care at hospitals and pediatric ear nose and throat (ENT) practices in the US will be enrolled.
Understand screeningTreatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Not reported
- Masking
- Not reported
Tonsillectomy Patients
Patients undergoing tonsillectomy as part of their clinical care
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Immune cell composition
Time frame: At time of collection
Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Anti-CHIPS antibody levels, including total and subclasses of IgG and their neutralizing capacity
Time frame: At time of collection
Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Cytokine levels
Time frame: At time of collection
Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) levels
Time frame: At time of collection
Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Single-cell inference of class switch recombination (sciCSR)
Time frame: At time of collection
Develop a lymphoid organoid model from discarded human tonsils and determine and compare the human immunologic signatures of primary exposure, within the "antigenic sin" contexts of re-exposure, and with repeated exposures to CHIPS.
Secondary measures
Immune cell composition
Time frame: At time of collection
Primary signals such as antigen characteristics, and secondary signals such as cytokines have been implicated in class switching to IgG4 but have not been defined with respect to CHIPS. Varying these signals and evaluating: 1) organoid immune cell composition, 2) antibody and 3) cytokines levels, and indicators of class switching such as 4) AID and 5) sciCSR levels, will enable us to evaluate modulation of human immunotolerance to CHIPS.
Anti-CHIPS antibody levels, including total and subclasses of IgG and their neutralizing capacity
Time frame: At time of collection
Primary signals such as antigen characteristics, and secondary signals such as cytokines have been implicated in class switching to IgG4 but have not been defined with respect to CHIPS. Varying these signals and evaluating: 1) organoid immune cell composition, 2) antibody and 3) cytokines levels, and indicators of class switching such as 4) AID and 5) sciCSR levels, will enable us to evaluate modulation of human immunotolerance to CHIPS.
Cytokine levels
Time frame: At time of collection
Primary signals such as antigen characteristics, and secondary signals such as cytokines have been implicated in class switching to IgG4 but have not been defined with respect to CHIPS. Varying these signals and evaluating: 1) organoid immune cell composition, 2) antibody and 3) cytokines levels, and indicators of class switching such as 4) AID and 5) sciCSR levels, will enable us to evaluate modulation of human immunotolerance to CHIPS.
Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) levels
Time frame: At time of collection
Primary signals such as antigen characteristics, and secondary signals such as cytokines have been implicated in class switching to IgG4 but have not been defined with respect to CHIPS. Varying these signals and evaluating: 1) organoid immune cell composition, 2) antibody and 3) cytokines levels, and indicators of class switching such as 4) AID and 5) sciCSR levels, will enable us to evaluate modulation of human immunotolerance to CHIPS.
Single-cell inference of class switch recombination (sciCSR)
Time frame: At time of collection
Primary signals such as antigen characteristics, and secondary signals such as cytokines have been implicated in class switching to IgG4 but have not been defined with respect to CHIPS. Varying these signals and evaluating: 1) organoid immune cell composition, 2) antibody and 3) cytokines levels, and indicators of class switching such as 4) AID and 5) sciCSR levels, will enable us to evaluate modulation of human immunotolerance to CHIPS.
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (2)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
2 locations
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)Bethesda, Maryland, United StatesRecruiting
National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, Maryland, United StatesRecruiting
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- Study start
- Nov 15, 2026 Estimated
- Primary completion
- Dec 1, 2043 Estimated
- Study completion
- Dec 1, 2044 Estimated
- First posted
- Jun 28, 2024 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
Official study title
Modeling Host-Pathogen Interaction Using Lymphoid Organoids
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 12, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026
