Mitochondria and cell communication in inflammatory bowel disease
Mitonuclear Communication During the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This project looks at whether fixing mitochondrial problems in the cells that line the gut can help people with ulcerative colitis and other forms of IBD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11227501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines how mitochondria — the energy parts of cells — and their communication with the cell nucleus go wrong in people with inflammatory bowel disease, especially ulcerative colitis. Researchers will analyze gut biopsy samples from patients alongside lab cell experiments and animal models to study mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion/fission, mitophagy, and the role of proteins like PGC1α, PARKIN, and PARIS. They will test whether boosting mitochondrial biogenesis or preventing the molecular steps that shut it down can restore healthy cell function and reduce gut inflammation. Findings could guide development of new therapies that target mitochondrial pathways in the intestinal lining.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with ulcerative colitis or other forms of IBD who can provide biopsy samples or attend clinic visits at the study site.
Not a fit: People without IBD or those whose disease is not driven by mitochondrial dysfunction may not receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that restore mitochondrial health in the gut and reduce inflammation for people with IBD.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical and patient-tissue studies have linked mitochondrial dysfunction to UC and shown that restoring PGC1α-related pathways can improve cell function, but therapies directly targeting these pathways remain experimental.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mollen, Kevin P — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Mollen, Kevin P
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.