Akkermansia muciniphila: how gut bacteria and capsules influence GVHD after stem cell transplant
Official title: Akkermansia muciniphila mucolytic and immunomodulatory properties and intestinal GVHD
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11417317 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how a common gut bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, and its genetic differences might affect GVHD risk after stem cell transplantation in humans and mice.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $472,874 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL170046-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417317 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation and individuals with gut microbiome profiles suggestive of Akkermansia involvement.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GVHD risk or without Akkermansia-related dysbiosis may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how genetic variations in Akkermansia muciniphila change its ability to affect gut health and GVHD after hematopoietic cell transplantation. They will examine mucin-degrading activity, capsule-driven immune signaling, and interactions with other gut bacteria to see how these factors influence gut damage and inflammation. The work includes experiments in humans and mouse disease models to understand the role of bacterial capsules and phage-based depletion in GVHD outcomes. Overall, the study aims to identify microbial characteristics that could predict GVHD risk and test targeted ways to reduce severity by manipulating Akkermansia presence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients undergoing stem cell transplant could benefit from microbiome-informed strategies to lower GVHD risk and improve gut health.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows microbial composition can influence GVHD risk, supporting exploration of Akkermansia-specific effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valdivia, Raphael H — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Valdivia, Raphael H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.