Role of epithelial ROS signaling in stress-related gut dysfunction and colitis risk
Official title: Role of epithelial ROS signaling in mediating psychological stress-induced mucosal dysfunction and colitis predisposition
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11361588 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant looks at how stress changes the gut lining and its microbes, possibly increasing the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in people who are genetically predisposed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | July 31, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $635,108 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131133-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11361588 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Genetically predisposed individuals with or at risk for inflammatory bowel disease or related gut conditions.
✕Less likely to help
People without IBD risk factors or those not affected by gut inflammation may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how stress triggers changes in the gut’s lining cells and the surrounding microbes that may lead to worse gut inflammation. They are focusing on the reactive oxygen species produced by intestinal epithelial cells and how these signals relate to mucus thinning and microbial shifts. The work uses mouse models to explore brain-gut interactions and how stress could predispose to colitis, with the goal of identifying mechanisms that could be targeted to protect gut health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new ways to prevent stress-related worsening of inflammatory bowel disease by protecting the gut lining and microbiome.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show stress can worsen gut inflammation in animals, supporting the relevance of this approach and suggesting potential translational insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Jacob Matthew — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Allen, Jacob Matthew
Related research
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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.