Understanding how the immune system responds to food proteins
Official title: CD4+ T cell response to food
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11020528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in your body react to food proteins, which can help explain why some people develop conditions like celiac disease, and it aims to find ways to help those who struggle with food allergies or intolerances.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | November 18, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $553,342 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI187164-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with celiac disease or those experiencing food intolerances and autoimmune responses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any food-related autoimmune conditions or those who do not experience adverse reactions to food are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how CD4+ T cells, a type of immune cell, interact with food proteins and why some individuals develop immune responses to these proteins, leading to conditions like celiac disease. The study employs advanced techniques such as peptide:MHCII tetramer-based cell enrichment and flow cytometry to analyze T cell responses in the gut. By examining how these immune cells proliferate and differentiate in response to food, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow some people to tolerate food while others do not. The findings could lead to new insights into immune tolerance and potential treatments for food-related autoimmune conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for individuals with food-related autoimmune diseases, such as celiac disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to food, but this specific approach is novel and aims to fill existing knowledge gaps.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jenkins, Marc Kevin — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Jenkins, Marc Kevin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating biological markers related to human reproduction and development
This study is looking at how different factors in our bodies affect reproduction and the health of children and teens, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about these important topics by analyzing samples like blood and urine without changing anything in their daily lives.
-
AI-powered liver cancer screening using ultrasound blood flow patterns
A new AI-based method analyzes liver blood flow signals to help detect liver cancer early in people with liver disease, especially in settings with limited resources.
-
Caregiver-led mobile tool to support healthy habits for kids treated for ALL
A caregiver-directed mobile program helps children who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia build healthier daily routines.
-
Understanding how survivorship care plans affect health outcomes for cancer survivors
A study will look at whether survivorship care plans help reduce deaths and improve health for adults who have survived cancer.
-
Understanding the experience of ovarian cancer after diagnosis to improve survivorship
This NIH grant funds a mixed-methods study to better understand physical and emotional challenges faced by ovarian cancer survivors and how supportive care can help them live better after diagnosis.
-
Minnesota Population Center: a hub for migration, family and community data science
A university research center helps researchers study population dynamics by sharing data, training researchers, and communicating findings to diverse audiences.
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.