Gut bacteria that eat mucus and complications after bone marrow transplant
Mucus-degrading intestinal bacteria and toxicities of hematopoietic cell transplantation
This project looks at whether certain mucus-eating gut bacteria cause gut inflammation and infections in people having allogeneic stem cell transplants.
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 ID | NIH-11196059 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are having an allogeneic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant, this program focuses on gut bacteria that eat mucus and how they might cause intestinal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and neutropenic fever. Researchers will analyze stool and tissue samples from transplant patients and use lab models (including mice) to see how bacteria such as Akkermansia and Bacteroides thin the mucus barrier and trigger inflammation. They will examine how common antibiotics like meropenem change the microbiome and worsen outcomes. The teams aim to identify bacterial patterns or antibiotic choices that could be changed to lower gut complications after transplant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people undergoing or recently having completed allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation who can provide stool and/or tissue samples and clinical information.
Not a fit: People who are not undergoing allogeneic transplant or who need immediate clinical treatment unrelated to transplant complications are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or reduce intestinal GVHD and infection after allogeneic stem cell transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and patient studies have linked mucus-degrading bacteria and certain antibiotics to worse GVHD and infections, but this integrated program combines mechanistic lab work with patient samples in a new coordinated way.
Where this research is happening
Duarte, United States
- Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope — Duarte, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenq, Robert — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Jenq, Robert
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.