How a macrophage protein (NUDT21) affects lung inflammation in ARDS
Macrophage NUDT21-mediated alternative polyadenylation in lung injury
This project looks at whether changing a protein called NUDT21 in immune cells called macrophages can reduce harmful lung inflammation in people with ARDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231688 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how a macrophage protein called NUDT21 controls RNA tail lengths (3' UTRs) that change inflammatory gene activity in ARDS. They will analyze human and mouse samples, use mice engineered to lack NUDT21 in myeloid cells, and perform lab experiments on macrophages to see how altering NUDT21 affects cytokine release and lung injury. The team will measure lung inflammation and injury markers, protein production from shortened transcripts, and whether restoring or modifying NUDT21 activity changes outcomes in animal models. Results will be used to identify specific molecular steps that could be targeted in future treatments to limit damaging lung inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or acute lung injury, especially those whose illness is linked to infection or strong inflammatory responses, would be the most relevant candidates to provide samples or join related clinical efforts.
Not a fit: People without ARDS or whose lung disease is chronic and not driven by acute macrophage inflammation are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that limit macrophage-driven lung inflammation and reduce death and disability from ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Early lab and mouse work from this group and others shows NUDT21 controls 3' UTR length and promotes inflammatory changes, but moving from these findings to human treatments is still untested.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Tingting Weng — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Mills, Tingting Weng
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.