How early matrix proteins help the lung heal after injury
Spatiotemporal control of early matricellular events in the injured lung
This project looks at how proteins released by platelets help repair lungs after severe injury like ARDS, aiming to find new targets for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258912 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on the very early phase after lung injury, when a temporary scaffold of proteins forms at the damage site. Researchers will use laboratory experiments and genetically modified mice to track how thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) from platelets changes shape and influences enzymes that protect that scaffold. They will examine the role of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in modifying TSP1 and how that affects tissue breakdown and repair. The goal is to identify specific biochemical steps that could be targeted by future drugs to improve lung healing in ARDS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have acute lung injury or ARDS, or who are at high risk for these conditions, are the people most likely to benefit from this line of research.
Not a fit: People with chronic non-inflammatory lung diseases or longstanding scarring of the lungs may not receive direct benefit from research focused on early repair events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new drug targets to help lungs repair faster and reduce complications and ICU time for people with ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Some animal studies have linked platelets and thrombospondin-1 to lung repair, but the specific conformational mechanism and PDI involvement studied here is novel and not yet tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Janet Sojung — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Janet Sojung
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.