Understanding how SATB1 affects salivary gland development and function
Official title: Genome organizer SATB1 function in salivary gland and development and growth
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10757685 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a protein called SATB1 to understand how it helps salivary glands grow and work properly, especially for people who have issues with their saliva due to cancer treatments or autoimmune diseases, with the hope of finding new ways to help improve salivary gland function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $201,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE031898-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10757685 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced salivary gland dysfunction due to cancer treatments or autoimmune diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any history of salivary gland issues or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a protein called SATB1 in the development and function of salivary glands, which are crucial for oral health. The study aims to uncover how SATB1 regulates gene expression and cellular processes during the growth of salivary glands, particularly in the context of conditions that impair their function, such as cancer treatments and autoimmune diseases. By using genetic techniques in mice, researchers will trace the lineage of cells that express SATB1 and assess the impact of removing this protein on salivary gland cells. The ultimate goal is to identify potential therapeutic strategies for restoring salivary gland function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for patients suffering from impaired salivary gland function.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of SATB1 in salivary glands is less explored, similar research approaches have shown promise in understanding gene regulation in other tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kohwi-Shigematsu, Terumi — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Kohwi-Shigematsu, Terumi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How cancer cells use exosomes to evade the immune system
This study is looking at how cancer cells use tiny bubbles called exosomes to hide proteins that can keep your immune system from fighting the tumor, and by figuring this out, the researchers hope to help doctors understand why some people respond well to cancer treatments while others don’t, ultimately aiming to creat
-
Reducing harm from smoking using electronic cigarettes
This study is looking at whether using electronic cigarettes can be a safer option for people who smoke traditional cigarettes, by comparing the health effects and exposure to harmful substances between the two.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Cutaneous opioid signals in skin inflammation
A mentor-identified clinician-researcher at UCSF is studying how natural skin opioids regulate itch and pain in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and hidradenitis, with plans to map where these opioids come from and how they affect skin nerves.
-
Pooling international data to understand long-term bisphosphonate use and atypical femur fractures
This project combines large patient datasets from multiple countries to understand how long-term bisphosphonate use relates to rare hip and thigh bone fractures, helping doctors and patients make safer treatment choices.
-
Airway cell and immune cell talks in lung transplant failure
This grant tests how airway cells and immune cells interact to drive chronic rejection after lung transplant, with the goal of slowing or preventing scar-like damage.
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.