# Determining the contribution of polyamine biosynthesis to the function of group 3 innate lymphoid cells in the gastrointestinal system

> **NIH NIH F30** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $31,454

## Abstract

Project Summary
The objective of this research proposal is to define the role of polyamines in modulating intestinal innate lymphoid
cell homeostasis. Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) play a crucial role in mucosal barrier integrity and resistance to
pathogenic insult through the integration of environmental signals and rapid secretion of immunoregulatory
cytokines. In the intestine, group 3 ILC (ILC3) are crucial in defense against pathogenic bacterial colonization.
They play significant roles in promoting the barrier function of the epithelium, regulating intestinal myeloid cells,
and inducing the formation of lymphoid tissue within the mucosa to orchestrate intestinal homeostasis. However,
dysregulation of ILC3 drives intestinal autoimmunity and has been associated with chronic inflammatory bowel
diseases (IBD). Although it is known that intestinal lymphocytes make numerous metabolic adaptations in order
to function in the tissue, little is understood about the relationship between cellular metabolism and the various
functions of ILC3. We have integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing data and untargeted metabolomics of
intestinal ILC to identify a significant enrichment of polyamines and polyamine metabolic enzymes in ILC3.
Furthermore, our preliminary data demonstrate a positive role for polyamines in supporting ILC3 proliferation
and function. We propose to 1) evaluate the impact of intracellular polyamines on ILC3 function at steady state
and 2) assess the contribution of ILC3-intrinsic polyamine metabolism in a preclinical model of colitis. We
hypothesize that polyamines positively regulate ILC3 function and thus contribute to the
immunopathological role of ILC3 in colitis.
The proposed research plan will define an ILC3-intrinsic contribution of polyamines in enhancing their activity
and potentiating colitis. If this is the case, these results will further our understanding of the metabolic adaptations
of ILC3 as well as the potential role for targeting these metabolic pathways to treat IBD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10138441
- **Project number:** 1F30DK127540-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Vincent Peng
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $31,454
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10138441

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10138441, Determining the contribution of polyamine biosynthesis to the function of group 3 innate lymphoid cells in the gastrointestinal system (1F30DK127540-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10138441. Licensed CC0.

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