NIH-funded research R01 grant

WNT2B could help reduce inflammation in colitis

Official title: Determining the Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism and Therapeutic Potential of WNT2B in Colitis

Funded at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware · NIH-11364683 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study at a children’s hospital will test whether increasing a protein called WNT2B can calm inflammation in the gut for people with colitis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Wilmington, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2026
Project endMay 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$719,124
NIH project number1R01DK142812-01A1
Project IDNIH-11364683 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates include individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or colitis who may benefit from therapies targeting WNT2B pathways.

Less likely to help

Patients without colitis or inflammatory bowel conditions are unlikely to benefit from this research.

What this research studies

Researchers will explore how WNT2B works in the intestine to prevent inflammation and test whether boosting WNT2B could reduce colitis symptoms. They will study human samples and animal models to see how WNT2B interacts with NF-kB signaling and IL-6, and whether increasing WNT2B can lessen immune cell recruitment to the colon. The goal is to identify if WNT2B could be a safe, new therapy approach for human colitis. The work builds on findings from individuals with WNT2B loss of function to understand potential therapeutic benefits.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to treat human colitis by modulating WNT2B signaling.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest WNT2B involvement in controlling inflammation, supporting potential therapeutic relevance but human applications remain to be confirmed.

Where this research is happening

  • Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
    Wilmington, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Oconnell, Amy E — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
  • Study coordinator: Oconnell, Amy E

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.