DHRS9 and inflammatory fats in the lung

Role of DHRS9 in oxylipin metabolism

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11330405

Researchers will look at how a protein called DHRS9 changes inflammatory fat molecules that can affect lung inflammation and recovery in people with acute lung injury.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11330405 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Oxylipins are small fat-based signals that can either drive or calm inflammation in the lungs, and DHRS9 is an enzyme that changes those signals. The team will use biochemical experiments and 3D-structure work to see exactly how DHRS9 modifies specific oxylipins. They will also use DHRS9-deficient mice and tissue analyses to observe how losing DHRS9 shifts the balance of pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators in the lung. The goal is to connect those molecular changes to worsening or resolution of lung inflammation that matters to patients with acute lung injury.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People with acute lung injury or other forms of severe lung inflammation would be the most relevant patient group for research stemming from this work.

Not a fit: Patients whose problems are unrelated to inflammatory lipid signaling in the lung (for example purely structural lung conditions) would be less likely to benefit directly from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce harmful lung inflammation or speed recovery after acute lung injury by targeting DHRS9 or the lipid signals it controls.

How similar studies have performed: Related enzyme- and lipid-targeting approaches have shown promise in preclinical inflammation models, but DHRS9-specific targeting is a relatively new and mostly preclinical direction.

Where this research is happening

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acute Lung Injury, Acute Pulmonary Injury

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.