Harmful immune-cell particles that may drive COPD
Pathogenic Exosomes in COPD
This work looks at whether tiny particles called exosomes released by immune cells cause lung tissue damage in people with COPD and could point to ways to protect the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308210 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective as someone with COPD, researchers are studying small particles called exosomes that come from neutrophils and carry a damaging enzyme (neutrophil elastase) that resists the usual inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin. They transfer exosomes from COPD patients and from smoke-exposed mice into healthy mice to see if these particles reproduce COPD-like lung damage and to trace the steps that lead to tissue breakdown and cell death via RIPK3 pathways. The team will search for smoke-induced protective responses, mechanisms that let exosomes propagate damage, and molecular targets that drugs could block. Findings will be compared back to patient samples to help translate discoveries into tests or treatments for COPD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with COPD (including those with a smoking history or alpha-1 antitrypsin–related disease) who are willing to provide blood, sputum, or other tissue samples for research may be eligible to contribute.
Not a fit: People without COPD or whose lung disease is driven by non-neutrophilic mechanisms are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new molecular targets and strategies to prevent lung tissue breakdown and slow or stop COPD progression.
How similar studies have performed: Research on exosomes in lung disease is emerging and transferring exosomes to mice is a new approach in COPD, so the strategy is promising but largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blalock, J Edwin — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Blalock, J Edwin
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.