# The role and regulation of deep crypt secretory cells in colitis

> **NIH NIH K01** · CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES · 2022 · $159,040

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Deep crypt secretory (DCS) cells are an understudied lineage of secretory cells residing in the colonic crypt
base with unknown roles in colitis. In preliminary data, I show that DCS cells express a class of proteins known
as host defense peptides (HDPs) that can influence key epithelial (e.g. differentiation, barrier integrity) and
immune functions. Despite clear demonstrations of altered colonic secretory cell numbers and HDP levels in
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the mechanisms regulating DCS cells and HDPs are poorly understood.
This proposal is designed to identify the mechanisms driving DCS cell differentiation and HDP
production in colitis, and determine the role of these factors in regulating epithelial and immune
functions. Using a mouse model with elevated DCS cell numbers, I am proposing coordinated in vivo and in
vitro approaches to understand the mechanisms underlying DCS cell differentiation and HDP expression in the
colon (Aim 1) and to test how altered DCS cell-derived HDPs affect colonic homeostasis and acute and
chronic colitis severity (Aim 2). This work will be accomplished with new expertise obtained in advanced
transcriptomic studies and epithelial lineage tracing in models of colitis by working with my team of co-mentors
and advisory committee. This work will advance our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that drive
intestinal epithelial remodeling in colitis, and thus may reveal new potential therapeutic targets for IBD and
other intestinal inflammatory disease. The research and career development plan, generated in concert with
my mentors and advisory committee, will provide the training and support necessary to become an
independent investigator at an academic research institution.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10526024
- **Project number:** 1K01DK131390-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Andrew Schumacher
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $159,040
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-15 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10526024

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10526024, The role and regulation of deep crypt secretory cells in colitis (1K01DK131390-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10526024. Licensed CC0.

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