How a circular RNA affects lung inflammation and organ injury in bacterial pneumonia
Novel mechanistic insights of inflammation and organ injury
Researchers are looking at whether a circular RNA called Circ30884 in immune cells and in lung and blood fluids drives harmful inflammation during bacterial pneumonia and sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on a circular RNA (Circ30884) that rises in lung macrophages and in extracellular vesicles from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood during bacterial lung infections. Scientists will compare samples from mice and humans, use cell experiments and animal models, and manipulate Circ30884 levels with molecular tools to see how it changes inflammatory responses. They will study chemical modifications (m6A) that may control the RNA and track the RNA in body fluids as a potential biomarker. The team aims to understand whether altering Circ30884 can reduce lung inflammation and downstream organ injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bacterial pneumonia or sepsis, or patients able to provide bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or blood samples at participating hospitals, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with noninfectious lung disease or viral pneumonia, or those unable to provide required samples, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new tests in blood or lung fluid and molecular approaches to lower dangerous inflammation and organ damage from bacterial pneumonia or sepsis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show some circRNAs can act as biomarkers and influence inflammation, but targeting a specific circRNA like Circ30884 is a relatively new and mostly preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jin, Yang — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Jin, Yang
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.