Calming harmful immune cells to protect lungs in ARDS
REGULATION OF THE MACROPHAGE INFLAMMATORY PHENOTYPE IN ARDS
This project looks at a new peptide that calms macrophages to help protect the lungs of people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121725 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to contribute lung fluid or cells so researchers can compare human samples with detailed lab and animal work. The team will test a novel peptide (CNI103) that blocks NFATc3 activation in macrophages and study how this changes inflammatory signals and extracellular vesicles that can damage the blood-air barrier. Most experiments use a two-hit mouse model, lab-grown human lung macrophages, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from ARDS patients. The overall aim is to map the molecular steps by which macrophages cause lung injury so better treatments can be designed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults hospitalized with ARDS who meet the Berlin criteria and can provide consent (or have a surrogate) and undergo bronchoalveolar lavage or sample donation are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without ARDS, those too unstable for bronchoscopy, or those unable to provide samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new treatment that reduces lung inflammation, improves oxygenation, and lowers deaths from ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in mice showed that blocking NFATc3 or using the CNI103 peptide improved oxygenation and survival, but its safety and effectiveness in humans remain unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christman, John W — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Christman, John W
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.