Using engineered probiotics to reduce radiation injury effects
Official title: LR-IL-22 for Mitigation and Management of Radiation Injuries
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10990525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $529,087 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI172885-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced total or partial body irradiation, such as those undergoing radiation therapy for cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to radiation or those with pre-existing gastrointestinal conditions unrelated to radiation may not benefit from this research.
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.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients suffering from radiation injuries.
How similar studies have gone: 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
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenberger, Joel S — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Greenberger, Joel S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Elastomeric membranes for safer pelvic organ prolapse repair
A new 3D-printed elastomeric membrane made from polycarbonate urethane is being tested to replace stiff polypropylene meshes for pelvic organ prolapse in women, aiming to reduce complications.
-
Role of hyaluronan in egg development and ovarian reserve
This grant studies how the hyaluronan matrix in the ovary affects the aging of the female reproductive system and the pool of eggs available.
-
Regulatory switches that control imprinting in early human development
This grant studies how certain genes stay “one-copy” active in early development and what goes wrong in assisted reproduction, with a focus on imprinting disorders.
-
Identifying molecular signs of imprinting errors linked to fertility treatments
This grant studies how assisted reproductive technologies may cause imprinting errors in embryos and how these errors relate to certain birth conditions, with implications for families using infertility treatments.
-
Bioadhesive vaginal film for 7-day protection against HIV, HSV, and pregnancy
A vaginal film that slowly releases antibodies to prevent HIV, HSV, and unintended pregnancy for about a week from a single use.
-
Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and culture in patients
Researchers are testing a way to transplant or grow sperm-producing cells back in boys and men who stored tissue before cancer treatment, to help them have biological children in the future.
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.