Regulation of Intestinal Immunity and Repair by Integrins (UC context)
Official title: Regulation of Intestinal Immunity and Repair by Integrins
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11326640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how specific gut cell proteins called integrins may control inflammation and healing in ulcerative colitis, with the goal of uncovering mechanisms that could prevent or lessen disease symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | June 17, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $721,942 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136071-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with ulcerative colitis or those at risk who could benefit from therapies targeting epithelial integrin signaling.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without inflammatory bowel disease or those not affected by UC-related epithelial signaling are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how integrins in the lining of the intestine influence immune responses and tissue repair in ulcerative colitis. Using animal models, the researchers will examine how αvβ6 and related signaling pathways activate TGF-β to maintain barrier function, and how changes in this signaling affect inflammation. The findings could point to new targets to protect the gut lining and reduce flares in people with UC. The work is built on prior observations that autoantibodies to αvβ6 are linked to UC and may precede diagnosis, informing how early changes in epithelial signaling relate to disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these pathways could lead to new therapies that strengthen the gut barrier and reduce UC symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies linking αvβ6 integrin signaling to intestinal inflammation have shown that altering this pathway can change disease severity, suggesting this approach is promising but not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lacy-Hulbert, Adam — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Lacy-Hulbert, Adam
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.