How the protein CCN1 helps the gut heal after injury
Coordinated matricellular regulation of intestinal injury repair and regeneration
This research looks at whether a protein called CCN1 helps intestinal stem cells repair the gut lining after injury, which could help people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11293402 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how CCN1 controls intestinal stem cell growth and specialization using genetically modified mice and lab models of gut injury. They will use chemical colitis (DSS) and targeted stem-cell removal to test how CCN1’s interactions with integrin receptors affect repair pathways such as Wnt, Notch, and YAP. The team will also examine whether CCN1 promotes other intestinal cells to revert into stem cells to rebuild the lining. Results aim to explain why healing can fail during chronic inflammation and suggest ways to boost tissue repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) who are interested in therapies that improve healing of the gut lining.
Not a fit: People without inflammatory bowel disease or whose symptoms arise from non-epithelial causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost intestinal repair and reduce chronic inflammation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies have shown CCN1 influences tissue repair and stem-cell signaling, but using it to restore gut stem cells after injury is a newer, translational direction.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jun, Joon-Il — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Jun, Joon-Il
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.