Pam Huntjens
DARE: In search of pathogenic intestinal bacteria in chronic disease sufferers
Pam Huntjens will target gut bacteria in her research at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF). Working closely with world-renowned researchers at the Lynch Lab, she hopes to identify pathogenic microbiota in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and are increasingly common worldwide. Despite huge efforts, the exact aetiology is still unknown, which restricts the development of preventive measures and specific therapies for the patients, who are often young. However, the aetiology suggests a complex interplay between genetics, environmental factors and the gut microbiome, which is a complex community of microorganisms and our genes found in our gastrointestinal tract.
Up to 50% of IBD patients develop IBD-related inflammatory conditions outside the gastrointestinal tract, called extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs). These include inflammation of the joints, skin, liver and eyes and also detract from the patients’ quality of life. Although the gut microbiota is implicated in the aetiology of IBD, its potential role in the development of EIM is still unexplored – something Huntjens is keen to change – which is why she is now making the leap across the Atlantic to work alongside leading researchers in San Francisco.
Gut microbiota imbalance is a common feature of IBD, which is linked to chronic inflammation. Previous research has shown that specific gut bacteria have the capacity to survive for extended periods of time in specialised immune cells – antigen-presenting cells (APCs) – with the capacity to migrate outside the gut and modulate their inflammatory expression. The hypothesis therefore also focuses on whether microbial bacteria can live intracellularly in these APCs, triggering the cells to travel outside the gastrointestinal tract and promote local inflammation elsewhere.
‘I hope my project will identify the important gut bacteria and how they promote EIM in IBD patients, as this will lead to a better understanding of the disease process. It could result in a better quality of life for IBD patients as we may be able to develop biomarkers for EIM risk, provide better treatment targeting these bacteria and avoid repeat surgery, EIMs and lifelong treatment with corticosteroids or immunosuppressants,’ says Huntjens.
‘I’m really looking forward to the unique opportunity presented by DARE; to be inspired and experience the unique research environment in San Francisco and learn from some of the leaders in the field of IBD and microbiota research.’
Pam Huntjens’ project mentors are Professor Henrik Nielsen, Chief Physician at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital and Professor Susan Lynch (UCSF), who is also Director of The Benioff Center for Microbiome Medicine in San Francisco, where she is affiliated with the Lynch Lab.
