How a common gut yeast may stop intestinal wounds from healing in Crohn’s disease
Innate immune responses to tissue infection by intestinal fungi inhibit wound repair
['FUNDING_R01'] · CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU · NIH-11226565
This work looks at whether a common gut yeast called Debaryomyces hansenii prevents intestinal wounds from healing in people with Crohn’s disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11226565 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team is studying tissue from people with Crohn’s and using lab-grown yeast strains plus mouse models to understand why some intestinal wounds do not close. They focus on Debaryomyces hansenii, which the researchers found in non-healing wounds but not in nearby healthy tissue. The project examines whether yeast spores are taken up by wound macrophages and survive there, triggering a type 1 interferon response that drives overproduction of the chemokine CCL5 and blocks repair. Results could point to ways to remove the yeast or block its immune effects to help ulcers heal.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Crohn’s disease who have active, non-healing intestinal ulcers or who are undergoing procedures where tissue or swabs can be collected.
Not a fit: People without Crohn’s disease or those whose intestinal problems are not related to this yeast are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new antifungal or immune-targeted treatments that help intestinal wounds heal in people with Crohn’s disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior tissue-based and mouse studies from this team and others support a role for this yeast in impaired healing, but the focus on spores, macrophage persistence, and the IFN–CCL5 pathway is a novel angle.
Where this research is happening
CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES
- CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU — CLEVELAND, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: STAPPENBECK, THADDEUS S — CLEVELAND CLINIC LERNER COM-CWRU
- Study coordinator: STAPPENBECK, THADDEUS S
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.