Human gut M cells need coronin 1a to move antigens across the intestine
Human M Cells Require Coronin 1a
Researchers are looking at whether a protein called coronin 1a helps special gut cells (M cells) move bacteria, food bits, and vaccine pieces from the intestine to the immune system, which matters for people with gut infections or immune-related gut problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11223322 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses human intestinal organoids (mini-gut tissues grown in the lab) that are enriched for M cells to see how these cells take up and transport material from the gut surface. Scientists will manipulate the protein coronin 1a in these human-derived models to watch how antigen uptake and delivery to immune cells changes. The team compares normal and altered coronin 1a function to define the cellular steps that let M cells move cargo across the epithelium. Findings will help explain how the gut communicates with the immune system during normal life and during infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might take part would be those willing to donate intestinal tissue samples, biopsies, or stool for laboratory studies, or patients with enteric infections or immune-related gut conditions interested in contributing to research.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment or those without gut-related immune or infection issues are unlikely to get direct health benefits from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better oral vaccines or treatments that prevent or limit intestinal infections by clarifying how antigens are handed off to the immune system.
How similar studies have performed: Organoid and ex vivo human gut models have successfully revealed other intestinal mechanisms, but linking coronin 1a specifically to human M cell transcytosis is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zachos, Nicholas Constantine — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zachos, Nicholas Constantine
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.