Boosting protective lung immune cells to prevent ozone-related breathing disease
Harnessing Inflammatory Macrophages to Thwart Lung Disease Caused by Chronic Ozone Exposure
This project aims to restore a natural switch in lung immune cells so people with long-term ozone-related inflammation (such as asthma or COPD) may heal their lungs instead of staying stuck in damaging inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11240276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying lung immune cells called macrophages to understand why they fail to switch from a proinflammatory to a healing state after repeated ozone exposure. They found a regulator called the farnesoid-X receptor (FXR) that helps this healing switch but becomes decreased after ozone exposure. Using laboratory and animal experiments, the team will work out how ozone suppresses FXR and whether restoring FXR activity helps lungs resolve inflammation. The goal is to point toward treatments that encourage the lungs to heal rather than only quieting inflammation temporarily.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with asthma or COPD thought to be worsened by repeated ozone or air-pollution exposure would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose lung disease is driven mainly by other causes (for example, long-term heavy smoking, certain genetic disorders, or active infection) may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new therapies that help the lungs resolve pollution-driven inflammation and reduce the risk or severity of chronic asthma and COPD.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies support a role for FXR in promoting macrophage reprogramming and reducing lung inflammation, but translating this into human therapies is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laskin, Debra L — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Laskin, Debra L
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.