Controlling a new lung cell state that affects alveolar healing
Molecular control of a novel transitional cell state in alveolar regeneration
This project looks at how changes in lung cells control healing of the tiny air sacs for people with lung scarring and other serious alveolar diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222855 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a lung condition, researchers are using lab-grown cells, animal models, and tissue samples to map a newly identified 'transitional' cell state that shows up during alveolar repair. They are tracking how oxidative stress and a protective protein called GPX4 change when alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells shift into this transitional state. The team tests what happens when GPX4 is lowered or removed to see whether that forces cells into a harmful path that blocks normal repair. The aim is to find the molecular switches that push cells toward healthy regeneration versus the maladaptive states seen in human lung disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with distal lung diseases affecting the alveoli—for example pulmonary fibrosis or other conditions with recurrent alveolar injury—are the most likely to benefit or be invited to related future studies.
Not a fit: People whose illness does not involve the alveoli or who have non-lung conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to promote healthy lung repair and eventually lead to treatments that prevent or reverse alveolar damage in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies have identified similar transitional cell states and linked oxidative stress to impaired repair, but turning those findings into patient treatments remains novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tata, Purushothama Rao — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Tata, Purushothama Rao
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.