An update on our current funded project of just over £130,000 over two years
We wanted to share an update on a research project we have funded to a group of investigators at the University of Oxford (Dr Khalid Shamiyah, Dr Matthias Friedrich, Dr Katharine Baker, Dr Bruce George, Dr Mathilde Pohin, Prof Fiona Powrie).
Crohn’s Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel condition that significantly impacts quality of life, with most patients requiring surgery at some point. Recent discoveries suggest that the enteric nervous system (ENS) may hold critical insights into the disease’s progression and potential new treatment pathways.
Our ground-breaking research study, spearheaded by Fellow Dr Shamiyah and coordinated by Dr Friedrich, aims to unravel the architectural, cellular, and molecular alterations of the ENS in individuals with CD. By analysing tissue samples from CD-affected bowel regions and comparing them with healthy adjacent tissues, we strive to construct a comprehensive ENS map in the context of CD. This map will guide us in identifying specific changes associated with the disease, providing a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis.
Our multi-tiered approach includes advanced histopathologic assessments, innovative immunofluorescent profiling, and cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics (molecular profiling), alongside establishing primary nerve cultures for mechanistic studies. By delineating the alterations in the ENS, we seek to uncover the mechanisms by which it influences the immune system and intestinal integrity in CD patients.
This research holds the promise of identifying new biomarkers for CD prognosis and advancing our understanding of ENS involvement in gut diseases. Our ultimate goal is to pioneer ENS-targeted therapies that could revolutionise CD management, offering hope for improved patient outcomes and quality of life.
Below is a video of Crohn’s patient Cian sharing her journey and experience.