Stopping C. difficile toxins by lowering CSPG4 on gut cells
Targeting chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) expression as a Clostridioides difficile therapeutic
Using drugs to reduce a gut cell protein called CSPG4 so C. difficile toxins can't stick and cause illness in people at risk for or with C. difficile infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321543 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on a gut cell surface protein, CSPG4, that C. difficile toxins bind to in order to cause disease. Researchers found that the Hippo signaling pathway controls how much CSPG4 cells make and are testing small molecules that lower CSPG4 levels in cells and in mice. By reducing CSPG4, the team aims to prevent toxins from attaching to gut cells and stop the damage that leads to disease. The studies are preclinical but aim to guide future treatments that could protect people from C. difficile illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with current or recurrent C. difficile infection or those at high risk for C. difficile could be the kinds of patients who might benefit from therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People without C. difficile infection or whose illness does not depend on CSPG4-mediated toxin binding are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could prevent C. difficile toxins from attaching to gut cells and reduce or stop infection, offering a new way to prevent or treat C. difficile disease.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking toxin binding or targeting host pathways has protected animals in other bacterial toxin models, but using Hippo pathway inhibitors to lower CSPG4 for C. difficile is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
Oklahoma City, United States
- University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr — Oklahoma City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Larabee, Jason — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Larabee, Jason
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.