Developing new drugs to reduce excessive muscle contractions in asthma
Mitigation of Exaggerated Smooth Muscle Force with Inhibitors of Integrin Alpha2Beta1
This study is looking at new tiny drugs that could help relax the muscles in your airways to make breathing easier for people with asthma by testing them in lab settings and in animals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10972754 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating small molecule inhibitors that target integrin α2β1, a protein involved in the contraction of airway smooth muscle. By disrupting the force transmission in these muscles, the researchers aim to alleviate symptoms of chronic airway diseases like asthma. The approach involves testing these inhibitors in both laboratory models and live animal studies to assess their effectiveness in reducing airway hyperresponsiveness. If successful, this could lead to new treatments that work alongside existing asthma medications.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with asthma or other chronic airway diseases characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness.
Not a fit: Patients with non-respiratory conditions or those who do not have airway hyperresponsiveness may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new therapeutic options for patients suffering from asthma by reducing excessive airway contractions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways to reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sundaram, Aparna Bala — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Sundaram, Aparna Bala
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.