How a common gut virus affects intestinal health
Characterization of a commensal enteric virus
The team is looking at whether a common gut virus changes immune signals and harms intestinal cells in people with genetic risk for Crohn's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11223354 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use mice with an ATG16L1 gene mutation and lab-grown human intestinal tissue (organoids) from Crohn's patients to model how a commensal gut virus alters gut immunity. They examine how the virus reduces a T cell–produced anti-inflammatory protein called API5 and how losing API5 leads to inflammatory cell death (necroptosis) in Paneth cells that protect the gut lining. The work combines virus infection models, tissue and cellular analyses, and experiments on autophagy-related pathways. The research aims to map both epithelial-intrinsic and immune-driven signals that cause barrier defects seen in some forms of IBD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Crohn's disease—especially those known to carry the ATG16L1 risk variant—who can donate intestinal tissue samples or clinical data.
Not a fit: People without inflammatory bowel disease or without the ATG16L1 risk variant are less likely to see direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to protect Paneth cells or restore API5 signaling to prevent or lessen intestinal barrier damage in Crohn's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse and organoid work has shown ATG16L1 mutation plus norovirus can cause Paneth cell defects, but targeting API5 to prevent that damage is a newer and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cadwell, Ken Hashigiwa — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Cadwell, Ken Hashigiwa
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.