How a bilirubin-processing gene links newborn jaundice to severe gut injury (NEC)
Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (SNH) and the expression of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) play key roles in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · NIH-11326182
This research studies whether reduced activity of the bilirubin-processing gene UGT1A1 in newborns helps explain why some babies develop severe jaundice and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11326182 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, scientists use mice engineered to carry the human UGT1A1 gene to model newborn bilirubin processing and NEC risk. They examine how components of human breast milk suppress UGT1A1, and how the intestinal regulator NCoR1 controls the timing of UGT1A1 expression after birth. The team uses genetic knockout experiments and measures total serum bilirubin and gut injury to link gene regulation to disease outcomes. Results aim to reveal mechanisms that could point to new prevention or treatment strategies for newborn jaundice and NEC.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for related clinical follow-up would be newborns—especially preterm infants—who have severe jaundice or are at high risk for NEC.
Not a fit: Patients without neonatal jaundice or NEC risk (for example older children or adults) are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce severe newborn jaundice and lower the risk of NEC by targeting how UGT1A1 is regulated.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and clinical work has linked UGT1A1 to neonatal jaundice, while using intestinal regulators to explain NEC risk is a newer, translational angle.
Where this research is happening
LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO — LA JOLLA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TUKEY, ROBERT H — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- Study coordinator: TUKEY, ROBERT H
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.