Understanding how immune cells interact in celiac disease to guide healing
Official title: Longitudinal analysis of T-B cell interactions and clonal dynamics to identify immune programs controlling tissue damage and healing in celiac disease
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11465673 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from the University of Chicago will follow people with celiac disease to understand how immune cells in the gut contribute to damage or healing when gluten is present or restricted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $819,998 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK145044-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11465673 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with celiac disease who are on or attempting a gluten-free diet and have variable adherence or persistent symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ongoing gluten exposure or without active mucosal injury may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project will look at how T cells, B cells, and plasma cells in the small intestine influence tissue damage and healing in people with celiac disease. Researchers will study immune cell patterns over time to identify immune programs that lead to ongoing injury or recovery, in the context of adherence to a gluten-free diet. The study will involve tissue samples, blood testing, and possibly biopsies to map immune cell dynamics and their relationship to symptoms and mucosal healing. By linking cellular interactions to clinical outcomes, the work aims to reveal targets that could improve treatment beyond diet alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal immune pathways that promote healing and guide new therapies or monitoring strategies for celiac disease.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches have identified complex immune cell interactions in intestinal diseases, supporting the potential for meaningful insights but the exact programs in CeD are still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abadie, Valerie — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Abadie, Valerie
Related research
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A broad study at the University of Chicago is exploring why some people with celiac disease keep having symptoms and tissue damage even when they try to follow a gluten-free diet.
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A study from Stanford aims to understand how a specific enzyme, TG2, contributes to celiac disease and to test a potential gut-focused treatment that could one day help people avoid dietary controls.
-
Gluten-specific immune responses in a humanized mouse model of celiac disease
A study in a special mouse that carries human immune system pieces to understand how gluten triggers celiac disease and to test potential therapies.
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.