How gut immune cells respond to foods and gut bacteria
Intestinal CD4 T cell responses to dietary and microbial antigens
This research looks at how CD4+ immune cells in the gut react to foods and bacteria to help explain food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
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 ID | NIH-11262922 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You will hear about research that examines specialized immune cells (CD4+ T cells) living in the gut lining and the tissue beneath it. Scientists track which parts of foods or bacteria these cells recognize by mapping their T‑cell receptors and following how individual cell clones expand or shrink. The team is also trying to find the gut T cells that specifically respond to food proteins and to understand how oral tolerance develops. Much of the work uses laboratory models and tissue or cell samples handled at Rockefeller University to connect antigen specificity with cell function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease, unexplained intestinal inflammation, or suspected food allergies would be the most relevant candidates for related participation or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with non-immune structural GI problems or conditions unrelated to gut immune responses are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal specific gut immune targets to prevent or treat food allergies and inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research established that CD4+ and regulatory T cells shape gut tolerance, but identifying food‑specific intestinal T cells and their clonal dynamics is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Rockefeller University — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mucida, Daniel S — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Mucida, Daniel S
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.