# GPCR-mediated pathways for regulation of intestinal lymphatic function

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $517,480

## Abstract

Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the largest class of pharmacological targets in
modern medicine, accounting for over 60% of all prescriptions worldwide. Yet, of the ~345 non-
olfactory GPCRs, many remain either orphan (with no known ligand) or uncharacterized (with no clear
physiological function). Therefore, discovering the spatiotemporal regulation and function of GPCRs
within pharmaceutically- and physiologically-understudied systems is of great clinical importance.
Considering the essential role of lymphatic vessels in intestinal lipid absorption and the increased
prevalence of inflammatory and metabolic diseases of the intestine, it is rather remarkable that there
are currently more questions than answers regarding whether and/or how lymphatic vessels
contribute to normal digestive function and/or diseases in adults. Therefore, studies proposed in this
grant have been purposefully designed to address numerous key questions raised by the recent
NIH/NIDDK-sponsored RFA-DK-17-016 entitled: Lymphatics in Health and Disease in the Digestive
System. Using state-of-the-art biochemical, proteomic, genomic and animal model approaches, we
propose to build on our current expertise on the CLR-AM signaling axis within the lymphatic vascular
system. Ultimately, we hope our studies will expand the repertoire of GPCR pathways that play
important functions in the regulation of the neurolymphocrine unit within the GI tract, and potentially
uncover unique and pharmacologically-tractable pathways for the improvement of digestive health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10104483
- **Project number:** 5R01DK119145-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen M Caron
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $517,480
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10104483

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10104483, GPCR-mediated pathways for regulation of intestinal lymphatic function (5R01DK119145-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10104483. Licensed CC0.

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