# Mechanisms associated with flares and remission in colitis

> **NIH NIH R01** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2020 · $381,375

## Abstract

Summary
Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two distinct phenotypic patterns of inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD) affecting ~1.5 million Americans, with >30,000 new cases diagnosed annually. They are both
characterized by periods of asymptomatic remission interrupted by episodes of symptomatic disease flares or
exacerbations. While its exact cause is unknown, IBD seems to be due to a combination of environmental
factors and genetic predisposition. However, to date, it is unclear how faulty genes and the changed
environment interact to cause colitis and to promote development of cycles of flares and remissions. To
contribute to a better understanding of these processes we created a novel animal model (R23FR mice), in
which a gene associated with colitis, IL-23 is conditionally expressed in the intestine of immune-competent
mice. IL-23 expression triggers development of a colitis that is dependent on the microbiota and the diet, and
that has a striking resemblance to human disease, with cycles of active disease (relapse/flares) followed by
remission. The main objective of this application is to investigate how IL-23 and the microbiota interact
to promote colitis and the development of cycles of flares and remission. Knowledge obtained from these
studies is likely to open new directions for therapy. In Aim 1 we will define the mechanisms triggered by IL-23
that contribute to colitis; in Aim 2 we will define how the microbiota affects the development of colitis in R23FR
mice; and in Aim 3 we will define how lymphocytes contribute to flares and remission

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9922284
- **Project number:** 5R01DK110352-04
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** SERGIO A. LIRA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $381,375
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-01 → 2021-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9922284

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9922284, Mechanisms associated with flares and remission in colitis (5R01DK110352-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9922284. Licensed CC0.

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