Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has secured a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the role of an immune-related receptor in neurons and its impact on brain function, behavior, and psychiatric health. The funding comes from the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The research project is led by Ning Quan, Ph.D., a professor in FAU’s Department of Biomedical Science at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. The team will focus on interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), which is typically known for its involvement in inflammation and immune responses. Recent findings have shown that IL-1R1 is also present in certain neurons, though its normal function within these cells has not been well understood.
Previous studies by Quan’s group found that neuronal IL-1R1 is critical for behavioral changes linked to chronic social stress, indicating it may play a wider role in healthy brain function than previously recognized. The current project aims to determine where and when IL-1R1 appears in the brain, how its expression responds to different experiences, and how it affects communication between neurons. Special attention will be given to hippocampal circuits related to social discrimination—a key part of typical social interaction.
Researchers discovered that neurons with IL-1R1 can influence the activity and plasticity of nearby neurons lacking this receptor, provided they are directly connected. This suggests that IL-1R1 acts at the level of neural circuits rather than individual cells, offering a new perspective on immune-related signaling molecules in neuroscience.
"This research is particularly compelling for the field of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders because it challenges the traditional separation between immune signaling and neural communication," said Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., co-investigator on the project, executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience, and professor of biomedical science at Schmidt College of Medicine. "By demonstrating that IL-1R1 actively shapes synaptic function and circuit connectivity, this work opens new conceptual pathways for understanding disorders in which brain networks and social behaviors are disrupted. These insights could ultimately guide more precise strategies for intervention that target circuit dysfunction rather than symptoms alone."
The project aims to uncover molecular mechanisms through which neuronal IL-1R1 influences synaptic connections and behavior. Researchers hope their findings will change current views about how the immune system interacts with the brain and may lead to new treatment targets for psychiatric or neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.
"This award from the NIH reflects the importance and promise of research that crosses disciplinary boundaries to address some of the most complex questions in brain science," said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs at FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. "Our investigators will be able to pursue discoveries that not only advance fundamental knowledge but also have meaningful implications for human health. This investment highlights Florida Atlantic University's growing role as a leader in innovative neuroscience research."
Jianning "Jenny" Wie, Ph.D., associate professor at FAU’s Department of Biomedical Science, is also collaborating on this grant.
