How immune-cell metabolism can block C. difficile toxin damage
Official title: Immunometabolic Mechanisms of Protection against Infection
Funded at Nimml Institute, INC. · NIH-11238034 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Trying to see whether turning on certain immune-related metabolic pathways can stop C. difficile toxins from harming gut cells in people with C. difficile infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nimml Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $147,125 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182927-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238034 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with current or recurrent C. difficile infection or those at high risk for recurrence would be the most relevant candidates for related future work.
✕Less likely to help
People without C. difficile infection or whose illness is driven by unrelated causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
The team at NIMML is studying how cells' metabolic signals change the way C. difficile toxins enter and damage gut cells. In lab models they will track toxin uptake, endosomal transport, and signs of inflammasome activation and cell death while activating specific immunometabolic pathways. The work will use molecular and cellular methods, likely including human-derived cells, to pinpoint mechanisms that prevent toxin-induced barrier disruption. The goal is to reveal host-centered strategies that could reduce disease severity without antibiotics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that protect the gut lining from C. difficile toxins without relying on antibiotics.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary lab results suggest activating immunometabolic pathways can reduce toxin damage, but this host-directed approach is still novel and mostly supported by preclinical data.
Where this research is happening
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Nimml Institute, INC.
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hontecillas, Raquel — Nimml Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hontecillas, Raquel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how the body protects itself from infections
This study is looking at how our body's immune system fights off infections, especially from a harmful germ called Clostridioides difficile, to find new ways to treat infections without using regular antibiotics, which could help patients get better faster.
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.