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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore County NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00DK136921-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
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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.