The candidate is a pediatric gastroenterologist with a strong background in fundamental basic science research methods, and an established commitment to apply these skills to the study of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The objective of the current K08 proposal is to obtain the advanced mechanistic training required to achieve the candidate's long-term career goal of becoming an independently funded physician- scientist, leading a laboratory focused on developing novel, minimally-toxic IBD therapies. Specifically, the candidate's short-term goals of this proposal are: 1) to acquire expertise in the study of host-microbial interactions, including the tools needed to ask mechanistic questions regarding these interactions;2) to learn the fundamental principles of microbial ecology, including the techniques required to study complex gut microbial communities;and 3) to establish an area of independent research by generating a critical mass of data and publications that will support future NIH grant submissions. The candidate's overall research goal is to understand the mechanisms by which host epithelial dysfunction promotes bacterial imbalances in IBD patients. The objective of the current proposal is to understand the role of a specific intestinal epithelial subtype, the Paneth cell, in the development of experimental intestinal inflammation. The candidate hypothesizes that impaired Paneth cell antimicrobial activity is associated with pro-inflammatory changes of the gut microbiota that predispose to the development of intestinal inflammation. This hypothesis will be tested using a novel mouse model of intestinal inflammation deficient for the gene Immunity-related GTPase family M member 1 (Irgm1).
In Aim 1, alterations of Paneth cell microbicidal function will be characterized using standard techniques, as well as innovative ex vivo assays focused on elucidating mechanisms of Paneth cell dysfunction.
In Aim 2, pro-inflammatory alterations of the Irgm1-/- intestinal microbiota will be characterized through global profiling techniques and novel functional assays.
These aims support the candidate's career development by providing training in mechanistic aspects of epithelial biology, as well as the study of complex microbial communities. Additional key elements of the candidate's training plan include: 1) advanced coursework in computational biology, sequence analysis, and statistical modeling;2) a mentorship and advising team, which includes internationally-recognized, independently-funded investigators with expertise in host-microbial interactions, Paneth cell biology, and microbial ecology;and 3) scholarly activities designed to foster independence and national recognition. Finally, the candidate's research environment is based in a pre- eminent academic research institution (the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) with access to NIH- funded centers (including the Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute and Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease) that are tailored to support the proposed studies. This environment will provide a productive and collaborative atmosphere in which to accomplish the described research and training goals.

Public Health Relevance

Crohn's disease is a severe, inflammatory condition of the gut that affects more than 500,000 patients in the United States alone, and leads to frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, missed work and school, and substantial health care costs (approximately $3.6 billion annually). The goal of this proposal and subsequent studies is to understand how the epithelial lining of the gut interacts with the normal bacteria of the intestine to control inflammation. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to safer ways to treat this debilitating disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK095917-03
Application #
8711435
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Podskalny, Judith M,
Project Start
2012-09-01
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2015-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$154,187
Indirect Cost
$11,421
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Rogala, Allison R; Schoenborn, Alexi A; Fee, Brian E et al. (2018) Environmental factors regulate Paneth cell phenotype and host susceptibility to intestinal inflammation in Irgm1-deficient mice. Dis Model Mech 11:
Wellman, Alicia S; Metukuri, Mallikarjuna R; Kazgan, Nevzat et al. (2017) Intestinal Epithelial Sirtuin 1 Regulates Intestinal Inflammation During Aging in Mice by Altering the Intestinal Microbiota. Gastroenterology 153:772-786
Shanahan, Michael T; Carroll, Ian M; Grossniklaus, Emily et al. (2014) Mouse Paneth cell antimicrobial function is independent of Nod2. Gut 63:903-10
Shanahan, Michael T; Carroll, Ian M; Gulati, Ajay S (2014) Critical design aspects involved in the study of Paneth cells and the intestinal microbiota. Gut Microbes 5:208-14
Tchaptchet, Sandrine; Fan, Ting-Jia; Goeser, Laura et al. (2013) Inflammation-induced acid tolerance genes gadAB in luminal commensal Escherichia coli attenuate experimental colitis. Infect Immun 81:3662-71
Liu, Bo; Gulati, Ajay S; Cantillana, Viviana et al. (2013) Irgm1-deficient mice exhibit Paneth cell abnormalities and increased susceptibility to acute intestinal inflammation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 305:G573-84
Wu, Xiao; Berkow, Kathryn; Frank, Daniel N et al. (2013) Comparative analysis of microbiome measurement platforms using latent variable structural equation modeling. BMC Bioinformatics 14:79