How eating changes the gut's immune responses
Mechanism of modulation of intestinal immune responses by dietary signals
Researchers are looking at how signals from food activate gut nerve cells and change immune defenses, which may matter for people with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at how your intestines sense food and how that changes the immune cells that protect the gut. Scientists study interactions between specific enteric nerve cells (VIP-producing neurons) and immune cells called ILC3s using lab models and molecular tools including CRISPR. They examine how feeding alters these signals, affects the gut barrier, and changes fat absorption. The goal is to understand mechanisms that could explain immune-related gut problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with immune-related gut conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or other intestinal barrier dysfunctions would be the most relevant candidates to follow this work or consider participating in future related studies.
Not a fit: People without gut immune problems or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to prevent or treat immune-related gut problems such as irritable bowel syndrome by targeting nerve–immune signaling.
How similar studies have performed: Recent studies have identified nerve–immune circuits in the gut, but translating these discoveries into clinical treatments remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Talbot, Jhimmy — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Talbot, Jhimmy
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.