How the EGF receptor affects immune cells and the gut lining during immune-related tissue damage
Discriminating EGFR function in T cells and epithelium during immune-mediated tissue damage
This work looks at how a growth-factor receptor in immune cells and the gut lining changes tissue damage in conditions like graft-versus-host disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164802 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are trying to understand whether EGFR signaling helps the gut heal or makes immune cells attack the gut more. They combine lab experiments in cells and animal models with analysis of human tissues and prior clinical experience in patients with graft-versus-host disease. Earlier findings showed T cells can kill intestinal stem cells and that IL-22 helped some patients, while new data suggest the EGFR ligand Amphiregulin can act on T cells to worsen injury. The team aims to separate EGFR's roles in T cells versus the epithelium so treatments can promote repair without fueling harmful immunity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have or are at high risk for intestinal graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplant, and patients with immune-mediated intestinal injury, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Patients with non-immune digestive problems or conditions unrelated to immune-mediated tissue damage are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to treatments that protect intestinal stem cells and reduce gut damage after bone marrow transplant or in autoimmune gut disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work to boost epithelial repair, including an IL-22 trial for GVHD, showed early promise, but targeting EGFR signaling in T cells is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hanash, Alan M — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Hanash, Alan M
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.