Diacylglycerol kinase and airway muscle function in asthma
Official title: Diacylglycerol kinase regulation of airway smooth muscle functions
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11417211 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a specific enzyme (DAG kinase) controls how airway muscles behave in asthma, with the goal of better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $332,180 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL180318-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417211 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with asthma who experience airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling may indirectly benefit from advances resulting from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Direct participation by patients is not described; this is primarily a basic science study in cells and animal models.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how signals inside airway smooth muscle cells contribute to tightening and growth of the airways in asthma. Researchers will study the role of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) in regulating muscle contraction and proliferation, building on prior findings in mice. The work combines lab experiments on cells and data from animal models to uncover how DGK shapes inflammation and remodeling in the lungs. The goal is to reveal targets that could reduce airway hyperresponsiveness and improve asthma symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to lessen airway constriction and inflammation in asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed that inhibiting DGK can reduce airway muscle contraction and inflammation in models, suggesting potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
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Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deshpande, Deepak a — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Deshpande, Deepak a
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.