How TL1A affects key gut immune cells in colitis
Official title: TL1A Regulation of Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Colitis
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11364915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers aim to find whether the protein TL1A changes how certain gut immune cells behave in people with inflammatory bowel disease (colitis) to guide safer treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 10, 2020 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $668,149 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK120985-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with inflammatory bowel disease affecting the colon, especially those with active inflammation or who can provide colon tissue or biospecimens, would be ideal candidates to contribute to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without IBD or those expecting an immediate therapeutic benefit from participation are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a type of immune cell in the gut called ILC3s, which can both help heal and sometimes drive inflammation in colitis. The team will study how the cytokine TL1A shifts ILC3 functions by using patient colon tissue, genetic data linked to TL1A, and experimental models. By mapping the molecular switches that make ILC3s protective versus harmful, they hope to pinpoint targets that could be blocked or boosted. The work combines human samples and laboratory experiments to make findings more relevant to patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to prevent damaging immune responses in IBD and lead to safer, more effective treatments that reduce flares and the need for surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked TL1A and ILC3s to IBD and shown effects in mouse models and human tissue, but translating those findings into targeted treatments is still an emerging area.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Longman, Randy S — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Longman, Randy S
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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.