Gut microbes and immune signals that lead children at risk to develop celiac disease
Official title: Microbial and Host Factors in the Progression to Celiac Disease
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11327416 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether differences in gut microbes and a child's immune and genetic markers help explain which children with celiac risk go on to develop celiac disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $764,474 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI183261-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11327416 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children—often under age 11—who have positive celiac serology or known HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genetic risk, especially if they are undergoing evaluation with endoscopy.
✕Less likely to help
People without celiac risk genes or adults already diagnosed and strictly avoiding gluten are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
What this research studies
From a parent's point of view, the team will enroll children who have positive celiac blood tests or who are having an upper endoscopy and will collect stool, blood, and biopsy samples. They will use genetic testing for HLA risk types, blood antibody measurements, and 16S sequencing to profile gut microbes. Children will be followed over time to see who progresses from potential celiac to intestinal damage and who does not. The goal is to link patterns in microbes and host responses to later development of celiac disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify early markers to predict and prevent progression to celiac disease and help guide care before irreversible gut injury occurs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked gut microbiome differences to celiac disease, but prospective studies in children aiming to predict progression remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holtz, Lori R — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Holtz, Lori R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how immune cells interact in celiac disease to guide healing
A study from the University of Chicago will follow people with celiac disease to understand how immune cells in the gut contribute to damage or healing when gluten is present or restricted.
-
NanoDiscs: a new way to calm the immune system in celiac disease
A new, protein-like particle called NanoDiscs is being developed to deliver safe targets to the immune system in people with celiac disease, with the goal of reducing reactions to gluten.
-
Tissue damage and healing in Celiac Disease
A broad study at the University of Chicago is exploring why some people with celiac disease keep having symptoms and tissue damage even when they try to follow a gluten-free diet.
-
Gluten-detection devices and telemedicine to help adults with celiac disease
This project looks at whether using portable gluten sensors and urine gluten tests together with telemedicine can help adults with celiac disease stick to a gluten-free diet and feel better.
-
Gluten-sensing tech to help manage celiac disease with telemedicine
A study tests new gluten-detection tools used with online care to help adults with celiac disease manage their condition.
-
Role of Transglutaminase 2 in Celiac Disease
A study from Stanford aims to understand how a specific enzyme, TG2, contributes to celiac disease and to test a potential gut-focused treatment that could one day help people avoid dietary controls.
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.