How helper (CD4+) immune cells respond to food proteins
CD4+ T cell response to food
This research looks at how a type of immune cell called CD4+ T cells reacts to food proteins to understand why most people tolerate food but some develop celiac disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11233260 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores why the immune system usually ignores food proteins but sometimes triggers celiac disease. Researchers will use specialized tools to find and track CD4+ T cells that recognize food peptides in gut-associated lymphoid tissues and see which cells become regulatory or unresponsive. They will combine gene knockout approaches and cell-transfer experiments in lab models to map how tolerant versus reactive T cells form. The goal is to reveal what goes wrong in people with celiac disease and point to ways to restore tolerance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with celiac disease or those at high risk (for example, close relatives or individuals with immune markers linked to celiac disease) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms come from non-immune food intolerances or unrelated gastrointestinal problems are unlikely to directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to prevent or treat celiac disease by promoting immune tolerance or blocking harmful T cell responses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using tetramers and flow cytometry have identified and tracked food-reactive CD4+ T cells, but mapping their genetic drivers and precursor-product relationships in celiac disease is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkins, Marc Kevin — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Jenkins, Marc Kevin
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.