How changes in mucin proteins affect asthma and lung cell aging
Official title: Mucin sialylation drives epithelial cell senescence and severe asthma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10664889 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a protein called mucin on the cells in your airways might make asthma symptoms worse and affect how well your lungs can heal, with the hope of finding new ways to help manage asthma better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $695,513 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL153058-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10664889 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with severe asthma, particularly those prone to exacerbations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild asthma or those who do not have a history of exacerbations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how a specific modification of mucin proteins on airway epithelial cells contributes to cell aging and worsens asthma symptoms. By focusing on the mucin MUC4 and its sialylation process, the study aims to understand how these changes inhibit important cellular pathways that are crucial for lung repair. The researchers will conduct experiments to analyze the relationship between mucin modifications, cell proliferation, and asthma severity, potentially leading to new insights into asthma management.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing severe asthma by targeting mucin modifications.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of targeting mucin sialylation in asthma is novel, related research has shown promising results in understanding cell aging and inflammation in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wenzel, Sally E — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Wenzel, Sally E
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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.