How interleukin-1alpha controls inflammation and cell behavior
Regulation of cellular functions and innate immunity by interleukin-1alpha
Researchers are looking at how a protein called IL‑1α triggers inflammation and cell death, which could help people with inflammatory lung problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses lab experiments to learn how IL‑1α is released from dying cells and how it shapes innate immune responses, especially in the lung. The team uses crystalline silica as a sterile lung irritant in cell and tissue models to study neutrophil recruitment and cell-death pathways. They will examine how IL‑1α binds to membrane lipids like cardiolipin and phosphatidylserine and how those interactions affect inflammation. Results are intended to point toward targets for therapies that could reduce harmful lung inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory lung conditions or those exposed to inhaled particles (for example, occupational silica exposure) could be candidates for future related studies or to donate samples.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by IL‑1α–mediated inflammation, such as purely structural or genetic lung disorders, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce harmful lung inflammation by targeting IL‑1α.
How similar studies have performed: IL‑1β biology is well established and prior work suggests IL‑1α contributes to inflammation, but the specific release mechanisms and lipid-binding roles described here are novel and not yet proven to help patients.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sutterwala, Fayyaz S. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sutterwala, Fayyaz S.
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.