How COVID-19 harms the lungs and heart
Mechanisms of lung and cardiac pathology in SARS-CoV-2 infections
This project tests whether blocking a protein called CASP4 (CASP11 in mice) and related inflammatory signals can reduce lung and heart damage from COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261229 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient’s perspective, researchers are studying how a protein that drives inflammation makes COVID-19 damage the lungs and heart. They will use mice engineered to lack the similar protein in specific cell types and apply genetic, antibody, and drug approaches to block downstream signals like CXCL1 and neutrophil recruitment. The team will also look at how these pathways act in situations tied to immune problems that cause severe COVID-19, such as type I interferon defects. Findings are intended to point to targeted ways to prevent or treat organ damage caused by SARS-CoV-2.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who had severe COVID-19 or who have immune defects linked to worse COVID-19 (for example, problems with type I interferon signaling) would be most relevant to the goals of this research.
Not a fit: People without a SARS-CoV-2 infection or whose illness is not driven by the CASP4/CASP11 inflammatory pathway are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targeted treatments that lessen lung and heart injury from COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and laboratory studies have shown inflammasome-related pathways can drive COVID-19 inflammation, but targeting cell-specific CASP11/CASP4 roles and downstream effectors is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yount, Jacob — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Yount, Jacob
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.