Using medium-chain fatty acids and a fat-sensing receptor to treat chronic graft-versus-host disease
Targeting medium chain fatty acid metabolism for the treatment of chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA · NIH-11325709
This project looks at whether changing medium‑chain fatty acids or blocking a fat sensor called GPR84 can help people with chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ORLANDO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11325709 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze blood and stool samples from people with chronic GVHD and run experiments in mouse models to see how medium‑chain fatty acids and the GPR84 receptor change T cell behavior. They will compare normal mice, mice lacking GPR84, and mice fed diets high in medium‑chain fatty acids to observe effects on lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) and thymus damage. Lab studies will use metabolic tracing and cellular analyses to show how this signaling alters immune cell metabolism. The team aims to determine whether blocking GPR84 or altering dietary fatty acids could prevent or reduce organ damage from chronic GVHD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who developed chronic graft‑versus‑host disease after an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant, especially those with lung or thymus involvement.
Not a fit: People without chronic GVHD, those with only acute GVHD, or patients whose disease is driven by unrelated mechanisms may not benefit from these approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new drug or dietary approaches that reduce organ damage and steroid side effects in people with chronic GVHD.
How similar studies have performed: Targeting T cell metabolism has shown promise in laboratory and animal work, but targeting GPR84 specifically for chronic GVHD is largely new and has not been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
ORLANDO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA — ORLANDO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NGUYEN, HUNG — UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
- Study coordinator: NGUYEN, HUNG
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.