Using engineered probiotics to reduce radiation injury effects

LR-IL-22 for Mitigation and Management of Radiation Injuries

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10990525

This study is looking at a special probiotic that helps your gut heal after radiation treatment, especially if you've had damage to your intestines, and it aims to find out how well it works when combined with another probiotic to boost recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10990525 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of engineered Lactobacillus reuteri that produces IL-22 to mitigate damage caused by total or partial body irradiation, particularly focusing on the acute gastrointestinal syndrome. The approach involves oral administration of this probiotic to enhance recovery of intestinal stem cells and restore their function after radiation exposure. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind this mitigation and improve the safety and efficacy of the treatment. By combining the engineered probiotic with another probiotic that stimulates recovery, the research seeks to enhance the therapeutic effects further.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced total or partial body irradiation, such as those undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.

Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to radiation or those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions unrelated to radiation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients suffering from radiation injuries.

How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data suggest that similar approaches using engineered probiotics have shown promise in mitigating radiation-induced damage, indicating potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.