How breathing forces shape airway mucus-clearing cells
Mechanotransduction in morphogenesis of mucociliary epithelium and multiciliated cells
This project looks at how physical forces control the number and function of tiny hair-like cilia on airway cells that help clear mucus, which matters for people with chronic lung or airway conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146349 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a small animal model (frog embryos) to mimic airway multiciliated cells and watch how they form under different physical tensions. They manipulate cell surface area and a mechanosensitive ion channel called Piezo1 with genetic and imaging tools to see how these factors set centriole and cilia number. High-resolution microscopy and molecular experiments will link changes in force and Piezo1 activity to cilia assembly and organization. Although this work is done in the lab model, it aims to explain why some people have too few or too many cilia and how that affects mucus clearance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with conditions that impair mucociliary clearance—such as chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or primary ciliary dyskinesia—are the kinds of patients who might benefit from future therapies inspired by this work, though the current project does not enroll patients.
Not a fit: Patients without airway mucus-clearance problems or those needing immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this basic laboratory study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new targets or approaches to restore normal cilia number or function and improve mucus clearance in airway diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work, including the team's own findings in frog embryos, has shown Piezo1 links cell tension to centriole number, but applying these discoveries to human disease is novel and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kulkarni, Saurabh S — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Kulkarni, Saurabh S
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.