Immune and pancreatic cell communication during injury and healing
Epithelial-immune cell crosstalk during injury and recovery in acute pancreatitis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11238477
This work looks at how an immune signal called IL‑22 and its blocker IL‑22BP affect damage and recovery in acute pancreatitis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11238477 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are examining how immune cells and pancreatic epithelial cells communicate after acute pancreatitis, focusing on a tissue-repair molecule called IL‑22 and its natural blocker IL‑22BP. They will use lab models including mouse models and three-dimensional pancreatic cell systems to track changes in inflammation, cell survival, and autophagy during injury and recovery. The team will manipulate IL‑22 and IL‑22BP levels and measure effects on tissue damage and healing to identify mechanisms that promote repair. The goal is to reveal targets that could be used to help the pancreas recover and prevent progression to severe disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have acute pancreatitis—especially those with more severe or recurrent episodes—would be the most directly relevant candidates for future treatments stemming from this work.
Not a fit: People without inflammatory pancreatic disease or those with unrelated digestive conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new treatments that boost pancreatic repair and reduce severe complications from acute pancreatitis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies have shown IL‑22 can limit tissue damage and aid repair, while targeting IL‑22BP is a newer approach that has been less extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FRANKEL, TIMOTHY LOUIS — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: FRANKEL, TIMOTHY LOUIS
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.