How a gut interferon helps calm inflammation and heal the intestine
Type III interferon Control of Mucosal Immunity
This work explores whether a gut-focused immune protein called IFN-λ can reduce inflammation and help the intestines heal in people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252334 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team is studying how IFN-λ (a type III interferon) influences inflammation and tissue repair in the gut using lab models and human samples. They compare IFN-λ effects to other interferons and focus on immune cells, especially neutrophils, that can damage tissue during flares. Experiments include mouse colitis models alongside analysis of human intestinal biopsies and blood immune cells to look for signs of reduced injury and improved healing. The goal is to find pathways that could be targeted to protect the gut lining during IBD flares.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), particularly those with active inflammation or undergoing diagnostic or surgical tissue sampling, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without immune-driven gut inflammation or with gastrointestinal problems unrelated to IBD are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that limit gut inflammation and speed healing for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown IFN-λ can limit neutrophil-driven damage in mouse colitis, but translating these findings to human IBD remains early and under study.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zanoni, Ivan — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zanoni, Ivan
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.