How Vitamin D Receptors Control Gut Bacteria in the Intestines
Vitamin D Receptor Regulation of Microbiota in Intestinal Epithelia
This research explores how vitamin D receptors in the small intestine help keep gut bacteria balanced, which could be important for people with inflammatory bowel diseases.
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-11145973 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn's disease, often involve an unfortunate combination of imbalanced gut bacteria and genetic factors. We know that a decrease in the activity of vitamin D receptors (VDR) can make inflammation worse and disrupt the gut's bacterial balance. While many studies look at bacteria in the large intestine, this project focuses on the small intestine, where special cells called Paneth cells release protective substances. Understanding how vitamin D receptors in these Paneth cells maintain a healthy gut environment is crucial for developing new ways to help patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly Crohn's disease, who experience gut microbiome imbalances and inflammation, are the focus of this research.
Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory bowel diseases or related gut microbiome issues may not directly benefit from this specific foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for managing inflammatory bowel diseases by targeting vitamin D receptors to restore a healthy gut microbiome and reduce inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of vitamin D receptors in gut health is an emerging area, this specific focus on small intestinal Paneth cells and their metabolites represents a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jun — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jun
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.