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Interactions of HIF and IFNg in Mucosal IEL Recruitment and Retention

Award Number: F30DK143706
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/27/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/26/2029

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Interactions of HIF and IFNg in Mucosal IEL Recruitment and Retention - PROJECT SUMMARY The prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) worldwide has been increasing dramatically in the past 30 years. Many individuals with IBD trial multiple medications before finding an effective treatment, and unfortunately many of these individuals develop resistance to treatments that were previously effective over their disease course. Genome wide association studies have identified mutations in interferon gamma (IFN𝛾) and its receptor which are associated with IBD pathogenesis. Moreover, patients with IBD produce high amounts of IFN𝛾 in their biopsies and sera. Current biologics available, such as Vedolizumab, and biologics in phase three clinical trials, such as Etrolizumab, target integrins which are important for intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) homing and retention in the colonic epithelium. Importantly, pathogenic CD103+ IEL subsets which secrete high levels of IFN𝛾 are enriched in patients with IBD. The colonic epithelium exists in a state a physiologic hypoxia at baseline, and during IBD hypoxia persists. Our lab has established that hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor that modulates expression of genes in hypoxia, is stabilized in the colonic epithelium at baseline and during disease. In fact, HIF stabilization is protective in mouse models of colitis, and is associated with decreased IFN𝛾 secretion. Our lab has demonstrated that in metabolically stressed T cells, HIF is stabilized and IFN𝛾 secretion is decreased. These data suggest that HIF stabilization represses IFN𝛾 secretion, and may be protective in colitis. Preliminary data I have generated suggests that HIF stabilization in the colonic epithelium attenuates IFN𝛾 response genes major histocompatibility complex II and class two transactivating protein. Importantly, IELs sit between epithelial cells and are primed to secrete IFN𝛾 in response to luminal antigens. Therefore, I hypothesize that HIF controls IEC responses to IEL-derived IFN𝛾 and modulates IEL recruitment and retention. This proposal will interrogate this hypothesis by 1) determining the function of epithelial HIF in epithelial MHC II dependent IFN𝛾 responses and 2) by elucidating the role of IEL HIF on IFN𝛾 secretion and CD103+ IEL retention in the colon. The physical location of IELs within the hypoxic intestinal epithelium underlies the importance of understanding the role of HIF stabilization in the interplay between IELs, their secreted cytokines, and the colonic epithelium. The goals of my fellowship training plan include: 1) developing technical skills and knowledge in the field of mucosal immunology as it relates to IBD, 2) becoming a highly skilled scientific communicator, and 3) building skills for my future career as a physician scientist in pediatric gastroenterology. Activities under this award will be completed at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. In summary, the project outlined in this proposal will address our gap in understanding the role of IFN𝛾 in colitis, as well as the role of HIF in modulating the intestinal epithelial-IEL axis, and prepare me for my career as a physician scientist.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $34,828 )
2026	2026	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	3/27/2026	NEW	$34,828
2026	2026	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	13001 E 17TH PL STE F428	AURORA	CO	80045	ADAMS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	1	3/27/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $34,828

Grand Total All Awards = $34,828

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Interactions of HIF and IFNg in Mucosal IEL Recruitment and Retention

Award Number: F30DK143706

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/27/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/26/2029

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