How inflammation drives harmful changes in the stomach lining
Official title: The Role of Inflammation in Regulating Gastric Metaplasia
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11247487 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether immune cells and signals from H. pylori infection or autoimmune gastritis cause stomach lining changes that can lead to cancer in people with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,254 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134531-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247487 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would include people with chronic H. pylori infection or autoimmune gastritis, or those who have biopsies showing gastric metaplasia.
✕Less likely to help
People without stomach inflammation, H. pylori infection, autoimmune gastritis, or signs of gastric metaplasia are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how chronic inflammation from H. pylori infection or autoimmune gastritis leads to gastric metaplasia, a precancerous change in the stomach lining. They will use mouse models alongside samples of human stomach tissue to see how immune cells (mast cells and Th2 CD4+ T cells) and cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) trigger these changes. By comparing animal experiments with patient tissues, the team aims to pinpoint the inflammatory signals that start metaplasia and help tumors develop. The goal is to find markers that identify people at higher risk and to guide new immune-based ways to prevent or treat precancerous stomach lesions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk of stomach cancer and lead to new immune-based ways to prevent or treat precancerous stomach changes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked chronic H. pylori–driven inflammation to gastric cancer, but using detailed immune-cell and cytokine profiling to guide prevention is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dipaolo, Richard J — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Dipaolo, Richard J
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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.