Controlling inflammation in newborn lungs
Regulation of Neonatal Lung Inflammation by Novel Innate Immune Mechanisms
Researchers are looking at how certain immune signals in newborn lungs cause inflammation that may lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145934 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses laboratory models of early-life lung injury (for example, exposure to bacterial molecules or high oxygen) to see how lung cells begin making signals that turn on immune cells called NK and γδ T cells. The team will measure the molecules that bind the activating receptor NKG2D, track inflammatory cytokines like IL-17A and enzymes such as Granzyme B, and observe how activated immune cells affect developing air sacs and blood vessels. By mapping the chain of events from initial stress to immune activation and tissue damage, they plan to identify specific steps that could be blocked to protect the newborn lung. The work is laboratory-focused and conducted at the University of Michigan with an aim toward future strategies to prevent or reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The findings would be most relevant to very preterm infants or babies who experienced early lung inflammation and their families.
Not a fit: Full-term infants or children without risk factors for preterm lung disease would be unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or lessen bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants by blocking harmful early-life immune signals.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked activated lymphocytes, γδ T cells, and inflammatory cytokines to BPD risk, but targeting NKG2D ligand-driven activation in newborn lungs is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Popova, Antonia Petrova — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Popova, Antonia Petrova
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.