How the environmental sensor AhR affects colitis
Role of the environmental sensor, AhR on colitis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA · NIH-11167451
Seeing whether plant-derived compounds that activate the AhR sensor can lower gut inflammation and boost natural antimicrobial defenses for people with colitis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11167451 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You can think of AhR as a sensor in the gut that responds to pollutants and plant or microbial chemicals; researchers are exploring how those signals change inflammation in colitis. In lab work, they give a dietary plant compound called I3C that helped colitis in mice and look at inflammation, gut bacteria, and levels of protective beta-defensin proteins made by colon cells. They also use DNA-level methods (including ATAC-seq) to see how AhR changes gene control in colon cells and how that affects antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory responses. The goal is to understand mechanisms that could point to new diet-based or drug approaches for inflammatory bowel disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon (ulcerative colitis or colonic Crohn's disease) would be the most relevant patients for this line of research.
Not a fit: People without IBD or those with conditions limited to the small intestine rather than the colon are unlikely to gain direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to dietary supplements or drugs that reduce inflammation, restore healthy gut microbes, and boost natural antimicrobial peptides for people with IBD.
How similar studies have performed: Related preclinical studies showed the plant indole I3C reduced colitis in mice, but human clinical evidence for this approach is limited or not yet available.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA — COLUMBIA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NAGARKATTI, PRAKASH S — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT COLUMBIA
- Study coordinator: NAGARKATTI, PRAKASH S
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.