How air pollution affects heart and lung health
Official title: Project 1 for the Air pollution disrupts Inflammasome Regulation in HEart And Lung Total Health (AIRHEALTH) Study
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11086432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tiny particles in the air, called PM2.5, can affect your heart and lungs, especially if you have asthma, and it will involve patients giving blood samples to help us learn more about how air pollution can cause inflammation and other health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $847,586 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL152953-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with chronic lung diseases, such as asthma, who are exposed to high levels of air pollution.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without chronic respiratory conditions or those living in areas with low air pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter (PM2.5), on heart and lung health. It focuses on how PM2.5 exposure triggers inflammation and immune responses, particularly through the IL-1β inflammasome pathway. By examining epigenetic changes and immune cell activation, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms linking air pollution to chronic lung diseases like asthma. Patients may be involved in providing blood samples to help understand these effects better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for protecting individuals from the harmful effects of air pollution on heart and lung health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that air pollution significantly impacts respiratory health, but this specific approach linking the inflammasome pathway is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nadeau, Kari C. — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Nadeau, Kari C.
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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.