How gut microbe products affect immune protection and cancer risk in people with obesity
Determining the contribution of microbial-derived metabolites to protective immunity in obesity-driven cancer risk.
Researchers are seeing if chemicals made by gut bacteria change immune defenses and cancer risk in people with obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181286 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will measure gut microbial metabolites and immune cell function in people with different ages and body weights, including patients before and after bariatric surgery. Donors will be recruited from the Memphis area, which has a diverse population with a high rate of obesity. The team will link specific metabolites to changes in T cells and macrophages from blood and gut samples and then test effects in laboratory models. Findings will trace the pathway from obesity to microbes to metabolites to weakened protective immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with obesity, people undergoing bariatric surgery (pre- and post-op), and adults across a range of ages and body weights, especially those in the Memphis area.
Not a fit: People without obesity or those who do not meet enrollment criteria or who cannot provide required samples (stool or blood) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to lower obesity-related cancer risk by targeting gut microbes or their metabolites to restore immune protection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show obesity alters T cell and macrophage function and that microbial metabolites can affect immunity, but applying this pathway specifically to obesity-driven cancer risk is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Makowski-Hayes, Liza — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Makowski-Hayes, Liza
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.