DOCK2 and scarring of the lung lining (pleural fibrosis)
Official title: D0CK2 in pleural fibrosis
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler · NIH-11296849 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether the protein DOCK2 helps drive scarring of the lung lining in people with pleural fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tyler, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $372,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171576-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296849 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with diagnosed pleural fibrosis or pleural scarring, or patients willing to donate pleural tissue or pleural fluid samples, would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People whose breathing problems come from other lung diseases (like COPD or asthma) or whose pleural scarring is already advanced may not receive direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Pleural fibrosis is scarring of the thin lining around the lungs that makes breathing harder. This project uses human pleural mesothelial cells from people to see how DOCK2 changes cell behavior when exposed to scarring signals like TGF-β. Researchers reduce DOCK2 in these cells and measure markers of mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (α-SMA, collagen-1, fibronectin), cell migration, and the Snail transcription factor. The aim is to map the steps that cause pleural scarring so new treatments might be developed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new drug targets that slow or prevent pleural scarring and improve breathing.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory work targeting mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has shown promise, but targeting DOCK2 is a relatively new idea supported so far by preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
Tyler, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qian, Guoqing — University of Texas Hlth Ctr at Tyler
- Study coordinator: Qian, Guoqing
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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.