T cells that target a gut protein (integrin αvβ6) in ulcerative colitis
Characterizing circulating and visceral T cells specific for the autoantigen integrin αvβ6 in ulcerative colitis
This project looks for immune T cells that help make antibodies against a gut protein called integrin αvβ6 in people with ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11240348 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I have ulcerative colitis, the team will look in blood, removed lymph nodes, and colon tissue to find T cells that recognize the gut protein integrin αvβ6. They will use a lab test called the AIM assay to find and profile these cells and then isolate them for detailed single-cell analysis. The work uses a bank of frozen surgical and blood samples from people with UC, Crohn's disease, and healthy volunteers. Learning which T cells drive these antibodies may explain how tolerance is lost in UC and point to new ways to stop it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with ulcerative colitis who can provide colon tissue or mesenteric lymph nodes during surgery or who can give blood samples, plus healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People without UC or those unable to provide blood or tissue samples are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal why the immune system attacks a gut protein in UC and suggest new targets to prevent or treat the disease.
How similar studies have performed: The AIM assay has successfully identified autoantigen-specific T cells in type 1 diabetes, but applying it to αvβ6 in ulcerative colitis is a new approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lord, James Daniel — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Lord, James Daniel
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.