Understanding how the gut's immune system protects against infections
Gut complement system: Induction and protection against enteric infection
This study is looking at how gut bacteria help our immune system fight infections, especially in kids, by focusing on a protein called C3, and it will also check these findings in healthy people to see how they apply to everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11050187 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the complement system in the gut, which is crucial for defending against infections. By using advanced techniques such as gnotobiotic mouse models and single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to understand how local production of a key protein, C3, is influenced by gut bacteria. The findings could reveal how variations in gut health affect the body's ability to fight off enteric infections, particularly in children. The research also includes validation studies with healthy human subjects to confirm the relevance of these findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who are at risk for enteric infections.
Not a fit: Patients with established chronic gastrointestinal diseases or those over 11 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating infectious diarrhea in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut's immune response, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kasper, Dennis L. — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Kasper, Dennis L.
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.