# The molecular basis of host-microbiota interactions

> **NIH NIH F32** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2020 · $2,572

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota and the human immune system is thought to contribute to chronic
diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. A better understanding of
the interactions between the microbiota and the host immune system should highlight novel therapeutic
strategies for these chronic diseases, including therapies directly targeting the microbiota rather than the host.
Recent studies have shown that a subset of the microbiota colonizes healthy human, non-human primate, and
mouse lymphoid tissues. These bacteria, termed lymphoid tissue-resident commensals or LRCs, elicit unique
innate immune responses, and protect against intestinal inflammation. However, the molecular basis of LRC
colonization of lymphoid tissues, and LRC-elicited innate immune responses, remains unclear. Preliminary
data in this proposal suggests that LRCs may suppress host nitric oxide responses in dendritic cells using a
conserved bacterial arginase. Aim 1 will utilize in vitro and in vivo models of LRC colonization to interrogate the
interaction between LRC arginases and the host innate immune system. Additionally, preliminary studies
suggest that host iron transport may actively contribute to both LRC colonization and intestinal inflammation.
Aim 2 will utilize in vitro and in vivo models of LRC colonization, along with novel murine models with modified
iron transport, to investigate the connection between LRC colonization, host iron transport, and inflammation.
Collectively, these two aims will crucially define the molecular basis by which LRCs colonize mammalian hosts
and modulate intestinal inflammation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10156380
- **Project number:** 3F32AI124517-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas J. Bessman
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,572
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2020-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10156380

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10156380, The molecular basis of host-microbiota interactions (3F32AI124517-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10156380. Licensed CC0.

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