How Vitamin D receptors affect gut bacteria in the intestines
Official title: Vitamin D Receptor Regulation of Microbiota in Intestinal Epithelia
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10919835 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Vitamin D receptors in the small intestine affect gut bacteria and inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's, to find new ways to improve gut health and treatment options.
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 start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $576,573 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134343-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919835 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly those experiencing Crohn's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without inflammatory bowel diseases or those with other unrelated gastrointestinal conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Vitamin D receptors in the small intestine and their impact on gut bacteria, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's disease. The study focuses on Paneth cells, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and producing antimicrobial substances. By examining how the downregulation of these receptors affects inflammation and microbial balance, the research aims to uncover new insights into treating IBD. The approach includes analyzing the small intestinal microbiome and its metabolites to understand their relationship with gut health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory bowel diseases by restoring gut microbiome balance.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of Vitamin D receptors in gut health is being explored, this specific focus on the small intestinal microbiome and Paneth cells is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jun — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jun
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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.