Understanding how regulatory T cells function in the intestines
Official title: Dissecting the intestinal niche for regulatory T cells
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11097196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special immune cells called regulatory T cells help keep your gut healthy and may prevent conditions like Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, with the hope of finding new treatments that could help people with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005685-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any form of inflammatory bowel disease or those with unrelated gastrointestinal conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in maintaining intestinal health and preventing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. By examining both natural and peripheral Tregs, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that support these cells during health and inflammation. The research involves both human and mouse models to explore how Tregs can prevent excessive immune responses that lead to tissue damage. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for IBD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing inflammatory bowel diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding Treg functions, but this specific investigation into their intestinal niche is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laufer, Terri M. — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Laufer, Terri M.
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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.