Harnessing a host MicroRNA that re-shapes the Microbiome to Protect Against Hypothermia
Abstract
Cold and wet weather affects military operations leading to enormous loss of manpower caused by coldweather-related injuries including hypothermia. Mortality in combat casualties with hypothermia is double that of normothermic casualties with similar injuries. Thus, hypothermia prevention and treatment in the operational theater can save lives of military personnel. This project aims to devise a strategy to increase warfighter resilience to hypothermia by manipulating the gut microbiome. It capitalizes on a mouse lacking microRNA-204 (miR-204) which exhibits enhanced thermogenesis and an altered gut microbiome. It will determine if these mice are resilient to hypothermic challenges, identify the bacterial species responsible for enhanced thermogenesis in these mice, and leverage their microbiome to increase resistance toexperimental hypothermia. In addition, it will identify metabolites in the serum of mice lacking miR-204 as potential mediators of thermogenesis and test the therapeutic efficacy of these metabolites as agents to prevent hypothermic challenge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 29, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012147
Entities
People
- Kaikobad Irani
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Iowa