Project title: Immune and microbiome determinants of gastric atrophy progression and attenuation: insights from mouse models and patient tissue spatial transcriptomics

Project No.: 1.1.1.3/1./24/A/034

Period: 1st May 2025 – 30 April 2028

Project costs: 656 455 EUR

Partners: SIA «GenEra» un SIA «Rīgas Austrumu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca»

Principal Investigator: Dr. biol. Vita Rovīte

This project aims to investigate microbial and immune determinants of gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia formation in patients’ tissue samples and mouse models of induced parietal cell atrophy and human gastric microbiome transplant to develop strategies for the prevention of GC transformation.

The results of the study will bring significant findings to the GC research field as during the project we will assess the GC development on several levels: (1) we will be able to modulate and evaluate how interaction with T cell pathways could shift inner immunologic microenvironment of gastric tissue and identify triggers of atrophy delay, (2) in human microbiome transplant model we will be able to populate germ-free mice stomachs with microbiome communities of specific known profiles to follow how specific genus could affect gastric tissue to identify new harmful microbial profiles for further exploration of potential atrophy interventions, (3) by using spatial transcriptomics on patients’ gastric tissue with known gastric microbiome profiles and linking obtained data with results in mouse experiments we will be able to specifically dissect alterations of the transcriptome to specific gastric tissue cell populations that could be used for the development of therapies against gastric atrophy and GC.

The BMC premises are accessible for persons with functional impairments:

• Access to the elevator is available by vehicle.
• A lift is available for movement between floors.
• Access to laboratories and other facilities within the BMC is ensured.

Information published 06.05.2025.

Progress of the project:

1 May 2025 – 31 July 2025

During this reporting period, preparations for conducting mouse experiments were initiated. Experimental planning was carried out, and preparations were made for announcing procurements to purchase the materials and reagents necessary for the experiments. Additional literature analysis was performed. An application was prepared and submitted to the Food and Veterinary Service’s Ethics Committee for the approval of animal experiments. In parallel, discussions were held with project partners regarding sequencing with GENERA Ltd. and with RECUH Ltd. concerning tissue preparation and quality control for spatial transcriptomics experiments.

Information published 31.07.2025.