NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

What role do macrophage enzymes play in fat tissue health and obesity-related inflammation?

Official title: Delineation of macrophage-derived transglutaminases' role in adipose tissue health and inflammation in obesity

Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore County · NIH-11579197 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant studies how certain enzymes in immune cells and fat cells affect fat tissue health and insulin resistance in obesity.

More Obesity research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startJuly 15, 2026
Project endMarch 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$249,000
NIH project number4R00DK136921-02
Project IDNIH-11579197 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are adults with or at risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes who could benefit from future therapies targeting fat-immune interactions.

Less likely to help

Individuals without obesity-related metabolic issues may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.

What this research studies

Scientists will use mouse models with precise gene editing to turn off specific transglutaminase enzymes in different cell types within fat tissue. They will also test a new method to delete genes in a controlled, time-specific way to see how these enzymes influence fat cell growth, immune cell behavior, and the surrounding matrix. The goal is to understand how these enzymes contribute to inflammation, tissue remodeling, and metabolism, with an eye toward preventing or reversing type 2 diabetes linked to obesity. Findings could guide new therapies that target immune-fat interactions to improve glucose control.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could identify new targets to reduce obesity-related inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests TGases influence adipose inflammation, but human relevance requires further validation in disease-relevant models.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Elizondo, Diana Margarita — University of Maryland Baltimore County
  • Study coordinator: Elizondo, Diana Margarita

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.