Controlling harmful inflammation in COVID-19 by targeting a gene regulator
Regulation of inflammatory gene expression during SARS2 infection
This project tests whether blocking a gene-regulator called Top1 can calm the excessive inflammation that makes COVID-19 more severe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258403 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how the Top1 protein helps turn on inflammatory genes when cells are infected with SARS-CoV-2, using lab-grown cells and animal models. They will map changes in chromatin (the way DNA is packaged) that control inflammatory gene activity during infection. The team will then test FDA-approved Top1 inhibitor drugs to see if they lower harmful inflammation and improve survival in these models. If promising, this work could support moving these existing drugs toward human testing for COVID-19-related inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with COVID-19 who have signs of high inflammation or are hospitalized with severe disease would be the most relevant group for future testing of this approach.
Not a fit: People with mild COVID-19 who do not have excessive inflammatory responses or those with contraindications to Top1 inhibitors are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could repurpose inexpensive, already-approved drugs to reduce dangerous inflammation and improve outcomes for people with severe COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies showed Top1 inhibition can reduce inflammatory gene expression and improve survival in some infections, but clinical testing for COVID-19 is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marazzi, Ivan — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Marazzi, Ivan
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.