Understanding how the immune system tolerates beneficial gut bacteria
T cell Tolerance to Enteric Commensal Bacteria
This study is looking at how our immune system learns to recognize good bacteria in our gut while still fighting off bad germs, which is important for preventing conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10828401 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune system learns to tolerate beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract while still protecting against harmful pathogens. It focuses on the mechanisms that allow T cells to differentiate between these bacteria, which is crucial for preventing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By using advanced techniques like peptide:MHCII tetramers and single-cell RNA sequencing, the study aims to identify specific T cell responses to various commensal bacteria. This could lead to a better understanding of immune tolerance and its implications for gut health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or related gastrointestinal conditions.
Not a fit: Patients with non-gastrointestinal conditions or those not affected by immune tolerance issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies for inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune tolerance mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moon, James J — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Moon, James J
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.