Understanding how the gut defends against inflammation
Novel mechanisms protecting the gut from TNF
This research explores how our gut naturally protects itself from a molecule called TNF, which can lead to chronic inflammation, especially in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121043 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies naturally produce a molecule called TNF, which is important for health, but too much of it in the gut can cause severe inflammation and chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While some IBD treatments block TNF, they don't help everyone, suggesting we don't fully understand how TNF works in the gut. This project focuses on special immune cells, called ILC3s, which appear to protect the gut lining from TNF-related damage and inflammation. We want to discover the exact ways these ILC3 cells create a protective environment, potentially by releasing helpful substances like prostaglandins and growth factors. By understanding this natural defense system, we hope to find new ways to help patients whose ILC3 cells might not be working correctly.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals living with inflammatory bowel disease or other chronic gut inflammatory conditions in the future.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not related to TNF-driven gut inflammation may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions by targeting the gut's natural protective mechanisms.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds on new preliminary data suggesting a novel protective pathway involving ILC3s, making the specific mechanism being explored relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonnenberg, Gregory F — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Sonnenberg, Gregory F
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 below.