# Regulation of human intestinal nutrient absorption by adipocyte-derived factors

> **NIH NIH P20** · MARSHALL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $159,836

## Abstract

Obesity is a complex disease related to having excess body fat. Obesity is highly prevalent in the United 
States, where approximately one of every three adults is considered obese, and it is becoming 
increasing common worldwide. It is particularly prevalent in the Appalachian region, with West Virginia 
having the highest obesity rate in America. There are several serious health issues linked to obesity, 
including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and several cancer types 
including colon cancer. Intestinal nutrient absorption is altered in obesity by mechanisms that are not well 
understood. Our overall hypothesis is that during obesity, adipocyte-derived factors alter nutrient 
transporter function in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and colon cancer cells, which affects nutrient 
homeostasis. Recent work showed that inflammatory signaling occurs between IECs and adipocytes 
when co-cultured in the absence of immune cells. The studies proposed here will provide insight into the 
regulation of intestinal nutrient absorption processes by adipocyte-derived factors. Our overall aim is to 
determine the effect and regulation of adipocyte-derived factors on activity and expression of nutrient 
transporters in human IECs and colon cancer cells. Using patient-derived intestinal epithelial organoidbased 
culture models, we will examine the uptake of key nutrients in human IECs co-cultured with 
primary human adipocytes. We will also determine the effect of adipocyte-derived factors on uptake of 
key nutrients in colon cancer cells. Identifying and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying 
obesity-related alterations in nutrient absorption is key for designing future therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10796110
- **Project number:** 5P20GM121299-05
- **Recipient organization:** MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Haynes
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $159,836
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-02-27 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10796110

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10796110, Regulation of human intestinal nutrient absorption by adipocyte-derived factors (5P20GM121299-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10796110. Licensed CC0.

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