Calpain-linked changes in lung blood vessel barriers in acute lung injury
Official title: Calpain-mediated lung endothelial barrier modulation in acute lung injury
Funded at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center · NIH-11516575 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor/researcher is studying how calpain activity affects the lung’s barrier cells during acute lung injury to understand why fluid leaks into the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005350-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11516575 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with acute lung injury or ARDS or a condition labeled as acute respiratory distress syndrome may be relevant for related future clinical studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without acute lung injury or ARDS or those not involved in relating analyses would not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at lung microvascular cells and how a protein-breaking enzyme called calpain may disrupt the barrier that keeps fluid out of the air spaces during acute lung injury. Early findings suggest that endotoxins from bacteria activate calpain, leading to changes in talin and other signals that loosen the barrier. The work combines cell studies with animal-like models of lung edema to see if blocking calpain can protect the barrier and reduce edema. If successful, this line of research could point to new therapies to prevent lung fluid buildup in ARDS patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If calpain inhibition proves protective, patients with acute lung injury or ARDS could benefit from targeted therapies that stabilize lung barriers and reduce fluid leakage.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have shown calpain involvement in barrier disruption, with some evidence that inhibiting calpain can prevent edema in models of ALI/ARDS.
Where this research is happening
-
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Su, Yunchao — Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Su, Yunchao
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.