Repairing the gut lining by blocking the MLCK1 protein that causes leaks
Therapeutic targeting of protein interactions to reverse MLCK1-mediated intestinal barrier loss and ameliorate disease.
Aiming to restore the intestinal barrier in people with inflammatory bowel disease by preventing MLCK1 from disrupting cell junctions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137090 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project maps how the MLCK1 protein is recruited to junctions between gut cells and identifies the partner proteins that guide that recruitment. Researchers use patient biopsy data together with animal models to test molecules that block those protein interactions and stop MLCK1 from weakening the barrier. Experiments directly compare barrier-restoring approaches with current anti‑TNF treatment in experimental IBD. The goal is to find targets and candidate agents that could be advanced toward therapies that repair a leaky gut lining.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), especially those with evidence of increased intestinal permeability, would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory bowel disease or whose symptoms are driven by causes other than intestinal barrier loss are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that repair a 'leaky' gut lining and reduce symptoms for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies and patient biopsy analyses indicate that disrupting MLCK1 recruitment can reverse barrier loss and outperformed anti‑TNF in experimental IBD, but this approach has not yet been tested in human clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Turner, Jerrold R. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Turner, Jerrold R.
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.