Antagonistic Immune Signals Arbitrated by Cytoplasmic Lipid Droplet Dynamic in IBD
Abstract
FY20 PRMRP Topic Area(s): The proposed research addresses the FY20 PRMRP Topic Area Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs). The goal of the research is to discover new principles and develop effective clinical strategies for IBD prevention and treatment, a Department of Defense-identified Area of Encouragement related to the Topic Area. Problem to Be Addressed by the Proposed Research: The medications currently used for IBD treatment, including corticosteroids and biologics, are faced with limitations such as low rates of patient response and serious side effects. Besides, the costs of biologics are prohibitively high, creating a financial burden for both individual patients and the healthcare system. The proposed research will address these problems by generating new knowledge essential for the development of highly effective, safe, and affordable IBD medications. Overview of the Proposed Research Project: Cells produce a group of oily substances called lipids. The proposed research will test the idea that certain chemical reactions involved in lipid production play a key role in IBD and that medications inhibiting these reactions effectively treat IBD. To test this idea, the research will pursue two specific aims. The first aim is to discover specific lipid molecules contributing to IBD and understand how they promote IBD-driving inflammation. The second aim is to demonstrate that blocking the action of lipid-producing enzymes works as a treatment for IBD, suppressing inflammation and restoring a healthy gut. Innovation: The proposed study will seek to establish the novel paradigm that lipids produced in cells play a crucial role in excessive gut inflammation and IBD, an idea that has not been explored in previous work. The research will generate new materials for research and clinical application, including drugs that treat IBD by interfering with lipid production in cells. Innovative research methods, including CRISPR gene editing and live-cell imaging, will be employed in the proposed research, Impact: If successful, the proposed research project will broaden the horizons in the field of IBD by revealing new disease-promoting mechanisms. Findings from the proposed work will stimulate IBD research and lay the foundation for the development of drugs that overcome the limitations of currently available IBD medications. Millions of Americans are suffering from IBD at present. The worldwide socioeconomic burden of IBD is enormous and escalating. The proposed research will benefit military service members, veterans, and civilians living with IBD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2110074
Entities
People
- Jin Mo Park
Organizations
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- United States Army