Project Grant R01DK148596

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded Northwestern University $747,256 on September 1, 2026, under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847) to define the role of lymphatics in pancreatitis pathogenesis.

The recipient will conduct research using mouse models, single-cell RNA sequencing, advanced imaging, and bioinformatics analyses to define functional roles of lymphatics in both acute and chronic pancreatitis and to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms driving lymphangiogenesis in this setting. Preliminary findings show that transient lymphangiogenesis occurs in parallel with robust immune cell infiltration during acute pancreatitis; chronic pancreatitis is marked by persistent lymphatic expansion and impaired leukocyte trafficking in lymphatics; distinct endothelial cell subpopulations emerge under acute versus chronic pancreatitis; lymphatic dysfunction impairs immune cell clearance and delays recovery from acute pancreatitis; and macrophages act as major sources of VEGF-C in pancreatic tissue with acute pancreatitis.

Work is performed in Chicago, Illinois. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030. Northwestern University's Sponsored Research Division serves as the recipient organization.