NIH-funded research R01 grant

CC16 and resilience to early lung problems into adulthood

Official title: CC16 in childhood and resilience to early airflow limitation in adult life

Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11511725 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A study from the University of Arizona looks at whether a small lung protein called CC16 helps protect children with early signs of breathing problems from developing COPD-related issues later in life.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Arizona
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tucson, United States)
Project startSeptember 25, 2017
Project endMarch 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$8,938
NIH project number3R01AI135108-07S3
Project IDNIH-11511725 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Children with early signs of impaired lung function and adults who may be at risk due to their childhood lung trajectory.

Less likely to help

If your lung development followed a typical trajectory with normal CC16 levels, you may not experience a direct benefit.

What this research studies

This project follows people from early childhood into adulthood to see if CC16, a molecule in the lungs, helps prevent long-term airway problems. It explores how having higher or lower CC16 levels might influence lung growth and the risk of pre-COPD in those who started life with impaired lung function. Researchers believe CC16’s anti-inflammatory effects could reduce lung inflammation and airway obstruction, potentially slowing or altering the trajectory toward COPD. The study builds on prior findings and aims to identify people who might benefit from CC16-related interventions or monitoring long before COPD manifests.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Understanding CC16's role could lead to new ways to prevent or delay COPD in people who started life with smaller lungs.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests CC16 may protect against lung inflammation, but confirmation in relation to early-life trajectories and COPD risk is ongoing.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Arizona
    Tucson, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Guerra, Stefano — University of Arizona
  • Study coordinator: Guerra, Stefano

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.