How gut immune cells pick which bacteria to target
Official title: B cell clonal selection in gut-associated germinal centers
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11385602 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how B cells in the gut and the IgA antibodies they make choose which microbes to bind for people with intestinal immune problems or cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $832,760 |
| NIH project number | 2R01AI157137-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385602 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would include people with inflammatory bowel disease, individuals at increased risk for colorectal cancer, or volunteers willing to provide stool or tissue samples at the Rockefeller University research sites.
✕Less likely to help
People with medical issues unrelated to gut immunity or those unable to provide stool/tissue samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is following the B cells that form in gut lymphoid tissues to see which ones expand and become dominant. They track the antibodies (IgA) those B cells make and compare whether some clones target just one bacterial species while others bind many. The researchers combine detailed mapping of B cell clones with tissue studies and laboratory models to link specific antibody responses to gut health and cancer risk. Their work also studies an epithelial receptor, DMBT1, that helps IgA control epithelial growth and may influence colorectal cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to steer gut antibodies to prevent or treat inflammatory bowel diseases and reduce colorectal cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown IgA shapes the microbiota and can mark microbes of interest, but the detailed clonal selection patterns and the role of DMBT1 described here are relatively new findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Victora, Gabriel D — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Victora, Gabriel D
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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.