# Role of CREM in Amebic Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

> **NIH NIH R37** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2021 · $519,998

## Abstract

Project Summary
Approach: We will test how the human transcription factor CREM (cAMP responsive element modulator)
protects from colitis due to Entamoeba histolytica and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Successful completion of these studies will identify how and where CREM acts to guard against bowel injury.
Significance: The importance of this project derives from the contribution of amebiasis to diarrhea in children in
the developing world and to the estimated one million Americans who suffer from IBD. Understanding how
CREM protects may provide new approaches to the currently inadequate treatments of amebic colitis and IBD.
Progress: The past 5 years of support advanced the understanding of amebic colitis and resulted in 26 original
research papers, including Nature, Nature Microbiology, Scientific Reports and Cell Reports, and publication of
17 reviews.
Innovative aspects of the proposal include that cAMP-regulated gene expression has not previously been
considered to contribute to defense of the intestine.
The environment for the work is a parasitology lab with ongoing investigation of amebiasis in humans, murine
models and at the cellular level, which is led by the Principal Investigator with 3 decades of amebiasis
research experience.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10092892
- **Project number:** 5R37AI026649-31
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** William A Petri
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $519,998
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1989-08-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10092892

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10092892, Role of CREM in Amebic Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (5R37AI026649-31). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10092892. Licensed CC0.

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