How dead cells affect the activity of intestinal stem cells
Official title: Internalization of dead cells governs intestinal stem cell activity
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-10995268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how special cells in your intestines react to their surroundings, especially how they clean up dead cells, to help us learn how to improve healing and recovery in the gut after injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $78,520 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DK136180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting intestinal health or those recovering from intestinal injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-injured intestinal conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how intestinal stem cells (ISCs) respond to their environment, particularly focusing on their ability to engulf dead cells. By understanding this process, the study aims to uncover how ISCs adjust their growth and differentiation in response to tissue injury. The research employs modern techniques to explore the signaling mechanisms involved in this interaction, which is crucial for maintaining the health of the intestinal barrier. Patients may benefit from insights into how to enhance tissue repair and regeneration in the intestines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving intestinal health and recovery from injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of ISCs responding to their environment is established, the specific mechanism of dead cell engulfment by ISCs is a novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Julie — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Julie
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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.