How gut bacteria attach to and invade the intestinal lining
Novel cytoskeletal mechanisms of pathogenic bacteria interactions with intestinal epithelium
Looking at how certain gut bacteria change the cell skeleton of the intestinal lining to help people with bacterial gut infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322093 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work aims to understand how pathogenic gut bacteria use the cell’s internal skeleton to stick to or get inside intestinal lining cells. Researchers will study intestinal epithelial cells and use molecular tools to block or modify a motor protein called non-muscle myosin II that controls actin filaments. Experiments will use cell models and animal studies to see how changing this protein affects different bacteria such as attaching-and-effacing E. coli and invasive E. coli or Salmonella. The goal is to pinpoint mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent bacterial attachment or invasion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent or severe bacterial gut infections (for example infections caused by pathogenic E. coli or Salmonella) or those willing to help research on intestinal infections would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with non-infectious gastrointestinal conditions or viral gastroenteritis are unlikely to benefit directly from this mechanistic laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to stop harmful gut bacteria from sticking to or invading the intestine, which may lead to better treatments or preventive strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and animal studies have hinted that myosin II affects bacterial interactions with intestinal cells, but using this dual-role insight to guide therapies is a new and emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ivanov, Andrei Ivanovich — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Ivanov, Andrei Ivanovich
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.