How diesel-exhaust chemicals are activated in the lung via the Nrf2–Keap1 pathway
Metabolic activation of nitroarenes and Nrf2-Keap1
This work looks at how chemicals from diesel exhaust can be converted into DNA-damaging forms inside human lung cells, which matters for people exposed to air pollution.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323870 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team studies nitroarenes (pollutants from diesel and traffic exhaust) and how lung cells chemically change them into reactive intermediates. They use human lung cell lines such as A549 to measure the role of AKR1C enzymes and the NRF2‑KEAP1 stress pathway in creating protein and DNA adducts. The lab tracks enzyme activity, formation of adducts, and resulting mutations to see if this pathway raises cancer risk. The goal is to understand a molecular route by which air pollution might start lung carcinogenesis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to people with substantial exposure to diesel or traffic-related air pollution and those worried about pollution-related lung cancer risk.
Not a fit: People without significant exposure to nitroarene-containing air pollution or whose cancers are unrelated to lung environmental exposures may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to molecular targets to lower lung cancer risk from diesel exhaust and inform future prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier laboratory work by these investigators showed NRF2-driven increases in AKR1C enzymes that activate nitroarenes in lung cells, so this renewal builds on prior mechanistic findings rather than testing a clinical therapy.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Penning, Trevor M — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Penning, Trevor M
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.