Understanding how a protein called C3 helps maintain gut health
Official title: Exploring the role of C3 in intestinal homeostasis
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11105838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the immune system called C3 helps keep the good bacteria and immune cells in your gut balanced, which could lead to new ways to understand how your body protects itself without causing inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $190,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI177453-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11105838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with gastrointestinal conditions or those interested in gut health and microbiome interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute inflammatory bowel diseases or those not experiencing gut health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the complement component C3 in maintaining the balance of microbes and immune cells in the gastrointestinal tract. By using a model of non-inflammatory colonization with the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, researchers will explore how C3 gene expression changes in the distal small intestine during homeostasis. They will utilize advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics to identify specific cell types involved in this process and how C3 interacts with commensal bacteria. This study aims to uncover new insights into the non-inflammatory defense mechanisms of the gut.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for enhancing gut health and preventing gastrointestinal diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of the complement system in gut health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Salzman, Nita H — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Salzman, Nita H
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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.