Blocking IL-17 inflammation in chronic lung blood clots (CTEPH)
Targeting Interleukin-17 inflammatory Axis in CTEPH
Researchers aim to block IL-17–driven inflammation to help people with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) by reducing clot-related lung vessel damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326258 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on people with CTEPH, a condition where blood clots in the lungs organize into hardened tissue and cause high pressure in lung vessels. Scientists will analyze cells taken from patients' thrombi using single-cell RNA sequencing and grow those cells outside the body to see which cell types drive inflammation and growth. The team will test blocking the IL-17 inflammatory pathway (and related PAR1 signaling) in these patient-derived cells and in laboratory models to see if it reduces harmful remodeling. Successful lab results would guide development of new medical treatments for patients who cannot have surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with CTEPH, especially those who are not eligible for pulmonary endarterectomy or who have persistent pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary embolism.
Not a fit: Patients with other forms of pulmonary hypertension not caused by chronic thromboembolism or those whose disease is already successfully treated by surgery may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new drug-based treatments that shrink or prevent progression of chronic pulmonary clots and reduce the need for risky surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Drugs that block IL-17 have worked for other inflammatory diseases, but applying IL-17 or PAR1 targeting specifically to CTEPH is largely new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Yen-Rei Andrea — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Yu, Yen-Rei Andrea
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.