How blood flow controls calcium signals that open small lung arteries
Flow-Activated Calcium Signaling Microdomains in Small Pulmonary Arteries
Learning whether flow-triggered calcium signals in the cells lining small lung arteries help keep those vessels open in healthy people and are broken in pulmonary hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11337554 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would hear how researchers are looking at tiny calcium signals in the cells that line small pulmonary arteries to see how those signals cause the vessels to widen. They focus on three proteins (Piezo1, Panx1, TRPV4) and a scaffolding protein (caveolin-1) that hold them together, using imaging of calcium, isolated small artery experiments, and animal models of pulmonary hypertension. The team will test whether disrupting or restoring this protein complex changes artery widening and pulmonary artery pressure. Some experiments may use tissue or cells rather than direct patient treatments, but the goal is to link these signals to human pulmonary hypertension.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, especially pulmonary arterial hypertension, who might donate samples or be considered for future trials would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without pulmonary vascular disease or those with end-stage lung disease unlikely to benefit from vascular-targeted therapies may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new molecular targets to restore normal artery widening and lower high pulmonary pressures in pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies from this group showed TRPV4 and Panx1 help lower pulmonary pressure in model systems, but translating these channel mechanisms into human treatments is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonkusare, Swapnil K. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sonkusare, Swapnil K.
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.