Gut microbes and immune system growth of lymph vessels in health and disease
Official title: Dissecting microbiota-driven lymphangiogenesis in immune health and disease
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11398138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Pittsburgh explores how gut bacteria influence immune-related lymph vessels and tissue structures, which may affect cancer, autoimmunity, IBD, and infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $467,159 |
| NIH project number | 5DP2AI177967-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with autoimmune status or conditions affecting the gut and immune system may be relevant for future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without gut-related immune disorders or those not involved in related clinical efforts may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how specific gut bacteria, like Helicobacter hepaticus, promote lymphangiogenesis and the formation of immune structures in the colon. They will use spatio-temporal analysis to identify signals that drive this process, then determine which immune cell types are responsible for forming tertiary lymphoid structures as lymphangiogenesis progresses. The study also looks at how gut microbes may impact lymphatic growth in both healthy and diseased states. The goal is to map mechanisms by which microbes influence the immune landscape in the gut and potentially identify targets to modulate these processes in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to influence gut immunity and how the immune system interacts with cancer and autoimmune diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous findings show gut bacteria can drive lymphatic changes and immune cell infiltration in tumors, suggesting this approach builds on a solid foundation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Overacre-Delgoffe, Abigail E — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Overacre-Delgoffe, Abigail E
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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.