How IL-13 and hyaluronan may drive lung damage in COVID-19
Role of Hyaluronan in IL-13-mediated COVID-19 Pathology
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · NIH-11170673
Researchers are looking at whether the immune signal IL-13 causes extra hyaluronan in the lungs and makes COVID-19 worse, aiming to help people with severe or long-term breathing problems after infection.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11170673 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you had COVID-19 and lingering lung problems, this work looks at how the immune signal IL-13 causes the lungs to build up a sticky molecule called hyaluronan (HA) that may trap inflammatory cells. The team will use mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 to follow which cells (especially lung ILC2s) make IL-13, how HA matrices form, and how HA receptors bring in inflammatory cells. Investigators at the University of Virginia and the University of Manchester will apply molecular, histological, and infection-based lab methods to map these pathways. The goal is to identify points where blocking IL-13 or HA signaling could reduce acute and long-term lung injury from COVID-19.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Findings would be most relevant to people who had severe COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress or ongoing breathing problems such as reduced lung diffusion or limited exercise capacity.
Not a fit: People without respiratory symptoms after COVID-19 or those with unrelated non-COVID lung diseases are less likely to benefit directly from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that block IL-13 or hyaluronan signals to reduce acute and long-term COVID-19 lung injury.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier mouse experiments and a clinical trial of IL-13/IL-4 blockade showed improved survival or lung function, so this project builds on promising but still developing evidence.
Where this research is happening
CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PETRI, WILLIAM A — UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- Study coordinator: PETRI, WILLIAM A
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.
Conditions: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome