How B cells and T cells interact in celiac disease
B cell-T cell crosstalk in celiac disease
Researchers are exploring how B cells and T cells communicate in people with celiac disease to find new treatments that do not rely only on a gluten-free diet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11129868 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have celiac disease, this project will look at immune cells in your small intestine and blood to understand how B cells and T cells drive inflammation. Investigators will analyze patient samples such as intestinal biopsies and blood to measure antibody-producing B cells, antigen presentation, and T-cell responses. They will use laboratory models and molecular methods to trace how B cell–T cell interactions lead to intestinal damage and autoantibody production. The goal is to identify biological targets that could lead to non-diet therapies for people who continue to have symptoms despite a gluten-free diet.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diagnosed celiac disease, particularly those with ongoing symptoms or intestinal injury despite following a gluten-free diet, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without celiac disease or those whose condition is fully controlled by a gluten-free diet are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new targets for treatments that reduce symptoms and intestinal damage for people with celiac disease who do not fully respond to a gluten-free diet.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has documented antibodies and immune cell changes in celiac disease, but directly targeting B cell–T cell crosstalk is a relatively new and still unproven approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abadie, Valerie — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Abadie, Valerie
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.