Different lung support cells (pericytes) in lung injury
Functional diversity of lung pericytes in lung injury
This work looks at whether different lung pericytes cause blood-vessel leakiness and attract inflammatory cells during flu-related lung injury to help people who develop ARDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257683 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From the patient perspective, researchers are using a flu-driven lung injury model to see how distinct pericyte types react after infection. They will analyze gene activity in activated pericytes and test how pericyte signals, including ANGPTL4, change blood vessel behavior and leakiness. The team will also track how pericytes influence the movement of inflammatory monocytes into the lung. Findings come from laboratory experiments at the University of Washington using cells and animal models to mirror human acute lung injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with influenza-related acute lung injury or ARDS, especially adults hospitalized with severe lung inflammation, would be the most relevant candidates for future trials informed by this research.
Not a fit: People without acute inflammatory lung injury—for example those with stable chronic lung disease or non-respiratory conditions—are unlikely to receive direct benefit from these findings in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent blood-vessel leak and harmful inflammation in acute lung injury and ARDS, potentially leading to better treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have implicated pericytes and ANGPTL4 in blood-vessel permeability and inflammation in other settings, but applying these findings specifically to influenza-driven lung injury is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hung, Chi F — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Hung, Chi F
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.