Understanding Immune Cells and Structures in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Mucosal Macrophages and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in IBD
This project explores how certain immune cells and structures in the gut contribute to inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11045709 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming more common, and current treatments don't work for everyone. We believe that abnormal communication between immune, gut lining, and other cells, driven by specific signals, plays a role in IBD. This project focuses on understanding "tertiary lymphoid structures" (TLS), which are disorganized immune cell clusters found in the inflamed gut of IBD patients. We want to discover how these structures form and what they do in the disease process, using models that mimic IBD. Specifically, we are looking at a type of immune cell called macrophages that might help create these TLS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients living with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, could potentially benefit from future treatments developed from this foundational understanding.
Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory bowel disease would likely not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to understand and treat inflammatory bowel disease by targeting these specific immune cells and structures.
How similar studies have performed: While tertiary lymphoid structures are recognized as a pathologic hallmark in IBD, their precise cellular composition and mechanistic contribution are largely unknown, making this a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bogunovic, Milena — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Bogunovic, Milena
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.