Estrogen signaling and how the intestinal lining protects against injury
Official title: Estrogen Regulation of the Intestinal Epithelium
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11609166 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Case Western Reserve University looks at how estrogen receptors in the gut lining help protect against intestinal injury and inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $300,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DK145554-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11609166 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or conditions affecting gut barrier function who might benefit from future therapies targeting estrogen signaling in the gut.
✕Less likely to help
People without inflammatory gut conditions or those unlikely to respond to estrogen-based approaches may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how estrogen signaling through specific receptors in intestinal cells influences how the gut lining heals after injury. By using mouse models and examining differences between sexes, the team aims to understand why estrogen may protect the gut more in some cases than others. The goal is to uncover pathways that could be targeted to strengthen the gut barrier and reduce inflammatory signals in IBD. The R56 grant supports focused experiments to advance this mechanistic knowledge and identify potential therapeutic angles.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide new strategies to support gut barrier function in people at risk for inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown estrogen signaling influences intestinal cell function and repair, suggesting a plausible path forward.
Where this research is happening
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Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodman, Wendy Ann — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Goodman, Wendy Ann
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.