How neutrophil traps (NETs) and the PAD4 enzyme affect gut healing in IBD
Official title: Role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in Inflammatory bowel disease
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11290439 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether the enzyme PAD4 and the neutrophil traps it creates help protect the gut in people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $430,127 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134053-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290439 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis—especially those with active inflammation or frequent flares—would be most relevant to follow or participate in related future work.
✕Less likely to help
People without inflammatory bowel disease or whose symptoms are driven primarily by non-immune causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this line of research.
What this research studies
This work focuses on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the role of neutrophils, an immune cell that rushes to inflamed gut tissue. The team will study how the enzyme PAD4 helps neutrophils release DNA-based traps (NETs) and a modified protein called H3Cit. Using mouse models and molecular experiments, they will test how PAD4 and NETs affect gut inflammation, leakage of neutrophil proteins, and interactions with gut bacteria. The goal is to map how these processes influence tissue damage and repair in IBD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new ways to protect the gut lining and reduce inflammation in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have linked NETs and PAD4 to inflammation and gut damage, but using PAD4/NET biology to protect the gut is a relatively new idea that needs more testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vijay-Kumar, Matam — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Vijay-Kumar, Matam
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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.