How rare gut tuft cells and immune ILC2s control intestinal allergy and worm responses
Regulation of the tuft-ILC2 circuit in the small intestine
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · NIH-11285414
This project aims to learn how rare intestinal cells and certain immune cells communicate to help people with intestinal worm infections and some food allergies.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SEATTLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11285414 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, scientists will focus on rare epithelial 'tuft' cells in the small intestine and nearby group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), mostly using laboratory mouse models and cell-based experiments. They will look for the parasite-derived signals and the receptors that make tuft cells activate ILC2s, and they will map the internal cell-signaling pathways inside the epithelium that regulate this circuit. The team will use genetic tools, infection models, biochemical assays, and imaging to follow how IL-13 and other signals change epithelial cell fate and tuft cell numbers. Results are intended to explain connections between helminth (worm) exposures and increasing allergies, which could guide future patient-facing studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have intestinal parasitic (helminth) infections or who suffer from food-related allergies would be the most relevant candidates for future related studies or sample donation.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to intestinal type 2 immunity—for example isolated non-gut allergies or genetic immune disorders not involving tuft-ILC2 signaling—are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat intestinal worm infections and reduce some food-allergy or allergy-related gut problems.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse work has shown tuft cells detect metabolites like succinate and drive ILC2 responses, but identifying the helminth ligand/receptor and the epithelial intracellular pathways remains largely novel.
Where this research is happening
SEATTLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON — SEATTLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VON MOLTKE, JAKOB H. — UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- Study coordinator: VON MOLTKE, JAKOB H.
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.