Cdk9's role in lung scarring (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Role of Cdk9 in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Seeing if blocking a protein called Cdk9 can reduce lung scarring and inflammation in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252613 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers aim to find out whether a protein called Cdk9 drives the inflammation and scarring that damage lungs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). They will examine lung cells taken from people with IPF and test drugs that block Cdk9 on those cells to see if the cells become less aggressive. They will also use mouse models of IPF to test whether Cdk9 inhibitors reduce fibrosis and improve survival. The work is intended to identify drug targets that combine anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects for potential future human treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who can donate lung tissue or samples or who may join future clinical trials of Cdk9-targeting drugs.
Not a fit: People without IPF, those with lung scarring from other causes, or individuals unable to provide samples or travel for visits are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new medicines that better slow or stop lung scarring and improve survival for people with IPF.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory work showed Cdk9 is elevated in IPF lung cells and that Cdk9 inhibitors reduced cell aggressiveness and improved survival in mouse models, but Cdk9-targeting therapy has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haudenschild, Dominik R — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Haudenschild, Dominik R
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.