The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) awarded a $630,847 Project Grant under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. This 4-year grant, effective February 1, 2025, supports research into the mechanisms by which the protein SIGIRR regulates intestinal barrier function and prevents necrotizing enterocolitis, a life-threatening condition in preterm infants. The research will investigate how SIGIRR inhibits the transcription factor TWIST1 to maintain adherens and tight junctions in intestinal epithelial cells, as well as evaluate the potential for SIGIRR to prevent experimental necrotizing enterocolitis in mice. Findings from this work using transgenic mouse models and human intestinal organoids may enable the development of new strategies to preserve the gut barrier and prevent this serious complication in preterm infants.
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