Cadmium pollution, long-lasting inflammation, and airway disease
Environmental Cadmium, persistent inflammation and airways disease
This project looks at whether cadmium pollution causes ongoing lung inflammation and airway disease in people who live near contaminated sites like North Birmingham.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319016 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you live near the North Birmingham Superfund site, researchers will work with community members and use samples such as lung tissue and immune cells to measure cadmium levels. They will examine how cadmium alters alveolar macrophage function, including the cells' ability to clear dying cells (efferocytosis), and measure markers like PAD4 and citrullinated CaMKII. Lab experiments using human samples and experimental models will test the molecular steps that link cadmium exposure to persistent inflammation and airway remodeling. The team partners with the local Superfund Research Center to connect environmental exposure data with immune changes that could be targeted for treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who live or have lived in cadmium-contaminated areas (for example the North Birmingham Superfund site) who have chronic airway symptoms or are willing to provide biological samples.
Not a fit: People whose airway disease is clearly due to non-environmental causes or who have no history of cadmium exposure are less likely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to reduce persistent lung inflammation and lower chronic airway disease in exposed communities.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies have linked cadmium exposure to lung disease and impaired macrophage function, but targeting PAD4 and citrullinated CaMKII in impaired efferocytosis is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Surolia, Ranu — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Surolia, Ranu
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.