How IL‑33 and ST2 drive tissue scarring (fibrosis)
Official title: On- and Off-Axis Control of Fibrosis by IL-33 and ST2
Funded at Baltimore VA Medical Center · NIH-11213928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how two immune molecules, IL‑33 and its receptor ST2, may cause harmful scarring in organs to help people with inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baltimore VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX006173-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11213928 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with inflammatory or fibrotic conditions of organs such as the lungs, liver, heart, or skin would be most relevant to follow this work or be considered for future related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to inflammation or fibrosis, or whose disease does not involve the IL‑33/ST2 pathway, are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers at the Baltimore VA are studying how IL‑33 and its receptor ST2 contribute to inflammation and tissue scarring from the patient’s perspective. They will compare the commonly studied mature form of IL‑33 with the less-understood full-length form that acts inside cells, using lab-grown cells, tissue samples, and animal models. The team will test whether ST2 or IL‑33 can drive fibrosis independently of each other through so-called "off-axis" pathways that current therapies might miss. Results may point to new ways to stop or reverse fibrosis that could lead to future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets to prevent or reduce organ scarring in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, or cardiac fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and preclinical studies show blocking the mature IL‑33/ST2 pathway can reduce fibrosis, but the role of full-length IL‑33 and ST2-independent actions is a newer and less tested area.
Where this research is happening
-
Baltimore VA Medical Center
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luzina, Irina G. — Baltimore VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Luzina, Irina G.
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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.