How environmental signals and a receptor may protect or worsen eosinophilic esophagitis
Official title: Mechanisms of aryl hydrocarbon receptor control of eosinophilic esophagitis
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11377324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant is exploring how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the esophagus affects eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and how environmental factors might influence this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $611,916 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140127-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis or related allergic/esophageal conditions could benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without EoE or related allergic diseases may not directly benefit from this basic mechanistic work.
What this research studies
This project centers on understanding how the AHR in esophageal cells responds to environmental cues and how this affects barrier function and allergic inflammation in EoE. Researchers will study protective and harmful AHR-triggered pathways, aiming to identify ligands that strengthen the barrier and reduce type 2 immune responses. The work includes cellular and molecular experiments to map transcriptional changes and barrier integrity in response to different environmental stimuli. The ultimate goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new therapies that support the esophageal barrier and lessen allergy-driven damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat EoE by targeting AHR pathways and environmental triggers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows AHR signaling can both protect and worsen mucosal immunity, supporting a translational path for new therapies in EoE.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azouz, Nurit P — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Azouz, Nurit P
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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.