How gene splicing of fat-processing enzymes shapes defenses against gut bacterial infections
Alternative Splicing & Differential Expression of Lipases in Host-Microbe Interactions
Looks at how small changes in gene splicing that alter fat-processing enzymes can change immune responses in people with intestinal bacterial infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258975 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will learn how researchers link changes in how certain genes are spliced to the way enzymes make signaling fats that influence immunity. The team studies how these splicing changes alter production of an endocannabinoid called 2-AG and how that shifts the body's ability to fight gut bacteria. Work combines experiments in model organisms and mammalian cells with comparisons to human immune factors to find conserved mechanisms. The goal is to map the regulatory steps and identify molecular targets that could be relevant to human infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with intestinal bacterial infections or individuals willing to donate blood or tissue samples to help researchers study immune and lipid changes.
Not a fit: People without gut bacterial infections or those seeking immediate clinical treatment rather than contributing samples or data are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets or biomarkers to help boost resistance to intestinal bacterial infections.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked endocannabinoid signaling to immune responses, but using alternative splicing of lipase genes to change infection outcomes is largely new and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghazi, Arjumand — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ghazi, Arjumand
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.