How gut microbes and brain immune cells work together to control weight and metabolism
The microbiota-microglia axis in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis
This project looks at whether gut bacteria and the small molecules they make change brain immune cells in ways that affect body weight and blood sugar for people with obesity or metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257695 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are studying how changes in gut microbes affect immune cells in a part of the brain that helps control appetite and blood sugar. They use animal models that lack normal gut microbes and then add microbes back or give microbial products called short-chain fatty acids to see how brain immune cells and body weight respond. The team measures eating, weight gain, and inflammation in the brain and body to link specific microbial changes to metabolic effects. The goal is to find microbial signals that could be targeted to prevent or treat weight gain and metabolic dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with overweight, obesity, insulin resistance, or early metabolic syndrome would be the most likely eventual candidates for related therapies or future clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose weight issues stem from rare genetic disorders, advanced illness, or non-metabolic causes may be unlikely to benefit from microbiome-targeted approaches described here.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new microbiome-based ways (like dietary fibers or microbial metabolites) to help prevent or treat obesity and metabolic disease.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown that changing gut microbes or giving short-chain fatty acids can change brain immune cell activity and reduce weight gain, but evidence in humans is still limited.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valdearcos, Martin — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Valdearcos, Martin
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.