Targeting a receptor to stop damaging T cell movement in IBD
Official title: Targeting a chemoattractant receptor in inflammatory bowel disease
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11374661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small grant explores a new way to treat inflammatory bowel disease by blocking a receptor that guides inflammatory T cells to the gut.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $200,413 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI193553-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who have active gut inflammation and have not yet responded to standard therapies in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with IBD in remission or those whose disease does not involve T cell trafficking to the gut may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a receptor called GPR15 that guides T cells into the colon, contributing to inflammation in IBD. By blocking this trafficking pathway, the research aims to reduce harmful immune cell buildup in the gut. The study uses preclinical models to understand how inhibiting GPR15 affects inflammation and disease symptoms, with results that could guide future human studies. If successful, this work could pave the way for a novel treatment approach for people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis who do not respond to existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with IBD could gain a new treatment that reduces gut inflammation by stopping pathogenic T cells from reaching the colon.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that blocking T cell homing can reduce intestinal inflammation in models, supporting potential benefit for humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shikano, Sojin — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Shikano, Sojin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial Talks: How Energy Networks Shape Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Aimed at people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this project explores how tiny cell powerhouses in the gut may go out of balance and contribute to IBD, with the goal of restoring energy and reducing disease symptoms.
-
Mn in inflammatory bowel disease: how manganese and genes may shape gut inflammation
This grant studies how the mineral manganese and a specific gene variant may influence inflammatory bowel disease in people of different ages.
-
AI-Enhanced Virtual Reality CBT to Reduce Anxiety for IBD Patients
A home-based VR and AI-powered cognitive behavioral therapy program is being tested to help people with inflammatory bowel disease feel less anxious and improve their quality of life.
-
Gasdermin-based epithelial function in inflammatory bowel disease
A funding opportunity that explores how gasdermin proteins affect the lining of the gut and may influence inflammatory bowel disease.
-
Intestinal chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans and their role in inflammatory bowel disease
A clinician-scientist mentoring program aims to advance understanding of how intestinal sugar molecules called chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans influence inflammatory bowel disease and patient care.
-
Improving IBD outcomes through community awareness, referrals, and education
A U01 grant will support programs to raise awareness, improve referrals, and educate patients and clinicians about inflammatory bowel disease to improve diagnosis and care.
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.