Understanding how gut environment affects immune cell behavior
Official title: Plasticity of Type 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells Regulated by Intestinal Microenvironment
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11039517 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the gut can change their roles depending on their surroundings, which is important for keeping our gut healthy and dealing with inflammation, and it's designed for anyone interested in understanding more about gut health and immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $656,001 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK142104-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039517 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to gut inflammation or immune system dysregulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-gut-related immune disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the behavior of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the gut, focusing on how these immune cells can change their function based on their environment. By using specially designed animal models, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that allow ILCs to switch between different types, which is crucial for maintaining gut health and responding to inflammation. The study employs advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze these immune cells in detail, providing insights into their roles in health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating gut-related diseases by targeting immune cell behavior.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell plasticity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sano, Teruyuki — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sano, Teruyuki
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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.