How the immune receptor C3aR helps protect the gut lining and prevent colorectal cancer
Official title: Role of the complement C3a receptor on immune and non immune intestinal barrier functions and microbiota in colorectal cancer development
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11138619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether the protein C3aR keeps the gut barrier and bacteria balanced in ways that lower the chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $774,054 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA258882-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People most relevant to this work include those with APC gene mutations, a history of multiple polyps, early-stage colorectal cancer, or a strong family history that puts them at high risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with late-stage metastatic colorectal cancer or conditions unrelated to intestinal inflammation or the microbiome are less likely to get direct benefit from these findings in the near term.
What this research studies
Researchers are combining lab work in mice that carry an APC gene mutation with analysis of human tumor data to see what happens when the C3aR receptor is reduced or missing. They will study how loss of C3aR affects the intestinal lining, local immune responses, and the composition of gut bacteria. The team uses genetically modified mice, tissue analyses, and publicly available patient data to connect molecular changes to early tumor formation. Findings aim to reveal how a breakdown in communication between epithelial cells and immune cells may spark inflammation that leads to cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new prevention or early-intervention approaches that restore C3aR-related functions, reduce harmful inflammation, or rebalance gut bacteria to lower colorectal cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and human-data analyses suggest C3aR loss is linked to tumor development, but translating that biology into treatments or prevention strategies is still new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guglietta, Silvia — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Guglietta, Silvia
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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.