CD55, a lung-protective protein, and how it may prevent smoke-related lung damage
Decay accelerating factor (CD55) protects against lectin pathway-mediated AT2 cell dysfunction in cigarette smoke-induced emphysema
This project tests whether the protective protein CD55 can stop cigarette smoke from harming lung repair cells and slow emphysema in smokers and people with early COPD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11248766 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how cigarette smoke activates a part of the immune system called the lectin complement pathway to damage type 2 alveolar (AT2) cells that help repair air sacs. Researchers will identify which lectin pathway proteins drive complement to deposit on AT2 cells and use lab models of smoke exposure to study the resulting cell injury. They will test whether the cell-surface protector CD55 prevents complement from sticking to AT2 cells and helps those cells proliferate and change into the cells needed to rebuild air sacs. Finally, the team will develop a blood-based complement activity score from plasma proteins that could flag smokers and people with early COPD who are likely to progress toward emphysema.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include current or former smokers and people with early-stage COPD who can provide blood samples or join translational biomarker studies.
Not a fit: People with advanced or end-stage emphysema or unrelated lung conditions are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could yield blood tests to spot people at risk of emphysema earlier and point to ways to protect lung repair cells from smoke damage.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research links complement activity to lung injury, but targeting the lectin pathway and CD55 for preventing smoke-related emphysema is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Serban, Karina — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Serban, Karina
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.