Collagen oxidation and myofibroblast activity in age-related lung scarring
Collagen Oxidation, Myofibroblast Activation and Age-Associated Pulmonary Fibrosis
Looking at whether specific chemical changes to collagen drive lung scarring in people with age-related idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126537 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a chemical modification called glutathionylation that is increased on collagen in lungs from people with IPF and linked to worse lung function. Researchers will measure oxidized collagen and the enzyme glutaredoxin in patient lung samples and use lab-based cell and molecular experiments to see how oxidized collagen resists breakdown and activates scar-forming myofibroblasts. The work also examines how age-related declines in autophagy pathways (involving calnexin and FAM134B) allow abnormal collagen to build up. The goal is to understand the feed-forward cycle that sustains fibrosis and identify steps that could be targeted to stop it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with age-associated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who can provide lung tissue samples or clinical data for research.
Not a fit: People without IPF or whose lung disease is caused by unrelated mechanisms are unlikely to directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to stop or reverse lung scarring by targeting collagen oxidation or the pathways that clear abnormal collagen.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown increased collagen glutathionylation and reduced glutaredoxin in IPF lungs and that oxidized collagen can activate fibroblasts, but turning these findings into therapies is still at an early stage.
Where this research is happening
Burlington, United States
- University of Vermont & St Agric College — Burlington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janssen-Heininger, Yvonne M. W. — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Janssen-Heininger, Yvonne M. W.
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.