Collagen-derived peptides to treat lung scarring
Peptides for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis
This project uses small protein fragments made from collagen to try to reduce scarring in people with lung fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174502 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have lung fibrosis, this team is developing small fragments of collagen (peptides) that reduced scarring in mouse experiments and in samples of human lung tissue from transplant patients. They will refine these collagen XVIII–derived peptides and perform additional laboratory and animal studies to understand how the peptides work and improve their safety and dosing. The work includes testing effects on human-derived cells and tissues and further preclinical testing needed before any early human studies. The goal is to move promising peptides toward clinical trials that could enroll patients in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pulmonary fibrosis — including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, fibrosis related to connective tissue disease, or fibrosis from environmental/occupational exposures — could be candidates for future trials of these peptides.
Not a fit: Patients whose lung disease is unrelated to the collagen-driven scarring processes targeted by these peptides, or those with very mild, stable disease, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these peptides could reduce or reverse lung scarring and improve breathing and quality of life for people with pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: Early preclinical work and tests on human lung tissue have shown promising anti-fibrotic effects, but benefit in living patients has not yet been demonstrated in clinical trials.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feghali-Bostwick, Carol a. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Feghali-Bostwick, Carol a.
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.