Immunometabolic and epigenetic changes in the mouth’s immunity in diabetes-related thrush
Official title: Immunometabolic and epigenetic dysregulation of oral mucosal immunity in diabetes-associated candidiasis
Funded at Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center · NIH-11436272 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at why people with diabetes get a higher risk of oral thrush and how high blood sugar affects the mouth’s defenses against Candida albicans.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Torrance, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $474,557 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE036346-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11436272 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diabetes who are at risk for or have a history of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) may be considered.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without diabetes or without OPC may not experience direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
In people with diabetes, the mouth’s immune barriers can be weakened, leading to frequent Candida infections like thrush. The study aims to uncover how high blood sugar and altered metabolism in mouth tissues change immune signaling and epigenetic regulation, which may weaken the barrier against the fungus. Researchers will examine epithelial cell metabolism, gene regulation, and signaling pathways to understand why diabetes increases susceptibility to OPC. The goal is to identify targets that could be helped by new therapies to restore mucosal immunity and reduce infection risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these mechanisms could lead to targeted therapies that strengthen oral defenses for people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data support a link between hyperglycemia, EM and epithelial signaling in OPC, with potential for translational impact.
Where this research is happening
-
Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Torrance, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sekar, Jinendiran — Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sekar, Jinendiran
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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.