Boosting a protective protein to help the gut heal after severe radiation
Mitigation of gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome by promoting clusterin-mediated intestinal regeneration
This project tests treatments that boost a protective protein pathway to help people whose intestines are badly damaged by high-dose radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239126 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on a protein called clusterin (CLU) that helps special intestinal 'revival' stem cells regrow damaged lining. In mice, removing CLU made radiation injury worse, while giving CLU protein or a drug that activates the STING pathway after radiation improved intestinal regeneration. The team will define how CLU protects and whether activating the STING–CLU pathway can be used as a mitigator that can be given 24 hours after exposure. Much of the work uses animal and laboratory models now, with the goal of developing treatments that could later be tested in people after radiation accidents.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People exposed to high-dose radiation that damaged their intestines—such as victims of radiation accidents or nuclear events—would be the most likely candidates for future treatments.
Not a fit: People without radiation-induced intestinal injury, or those in irreversible multi-organ failure, are unlikely to benefit from these specific intestinal-regeneration treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could create medicines given after radiation exposure to restore the intestinal lining and reduce deaths from gastrointestinal radiation injury.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies by this team showed that adding CLU or activating STING after irradiation improved intestinal recovery, but human testing has not yet been done.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Chang-Lung — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Chang-Lung
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 below.