How the intestine's supporting tissue and tiny blood vessels form
Development and vascularity of intestinal mesenchyme
Researchers are looking at how the intestine's supporting cells and tiny blood vessels form and keep intestinal stem cells healthy, which could help people with digestive conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330358 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team maps the layers of supporting (mesenchymal) cells next to the gut lining and the tiny blood vessels that feed them. They use mouse and human tissue samples, single-cell analyses, and high-resolution imaging to identify specific cell types such as PDGFRA-low cells and CD81+ "trophocytes." The researchers trace how these cells arise during development and how they create signals (Wnt and BMP) that keep intestinal stem cells functioning. That understanding could point to ways to repair or regrow damaged intestinal lining in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults (21+) who can donate intestinal tissue during surgery or colonoscopy, including people with inflammatory bowel disease or other intestinal conditions.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatments, children, or those with conditions unrelated to the gut will likely not receive direct benefit from this basic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new approaches to heal or regenerate the gut lining and improve treatments for intestinal diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work from this lab and others has identified similar supporting cell types in mouse and human intestines, but tracing their embryonic origins and vascular relationships is a newer step.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Dana-Farber Cancer Inst — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shivdasani, Ramesh a — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Shivdasani, Ramesh a
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.