How gut bacteria metabolites help regulate immune responses to reduce intestinal inflammation
Official title: Gut microbiota metabolite sensing licenses IEC to cross talk with T cells to inhibit intestinal inflammation
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11051273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain substances made by gut bacteria from the food we eat can help improve the immune system, especially for people dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic asthma, to find new ways to manage these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $485,895 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135193-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases or allergic asthma who may benefit from novel therapeutic approaches targeting gut microbiota.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to gut inflammation or immune response may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how metabolites produced by gut bacteria can influence the immune system, particularly in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and allergic asthma. It focuses on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate, propionate, and butyrate, which are generated from dietary fibers and have shown potential in alleviating inflammation in animal models. By understanding the mechanisms through which these metabolites interact with intestinal epithelial cells and T cells, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies for managing gut-related inflammatory conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that harness gut bacteria metabolites to reduce inflammation and improve health outcomes for patients with IBD and allergic asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in using gut microbiota metabolites to influence immune responses, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cong, Yingzi — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Cong, Yingzi
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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.