Piezo channels in the gut muscle cells that help control bowel movement
Piezo-1 & 2’s role in murine intestinal muscularis cells of the SIP syncytium
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11290432
Researchers will look at how Piezo mechanosensor channels in gut muscle cells respond to stretch to better understand bowel movement problems for people with motility disorders or bowel obstruction.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11290432 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse intestinal muscle cells kept alive in the lab to see how stretch changes cell behavior. Scientists will focus on three cell types that work together to control gut contractions: smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, and PDGFRα+ cells. They will apply controlled stretching using tunable hydrogels and measure calcium signaling through Piezo-1 and Piezo-2 channels. The goal is to map how these channels help the gut sense stretch under normal and stressed conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have chronic bowel motility disorders, unexplained intestinal pseudo-obstruction, or recurrent bowel obstruction may ultimately benefit from this line of research.
Not a fit: Patients whose symptoms are caused by structural blockages, infections, or cancers rather than altered mechanosensing are unlikely to see direct benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new targets for drugs or therapies to improve bowel motility and reduce complications from obstruction.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown Piezo channels act as mechanosensors in various tissues, but applying this knowledge to the gut muscularis and the SIP syncytium is relatively new and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MARTIN, MARTIN G — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: MARTIN, MARTIN G
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.