How ion signals in lung immune cells affect lung damage and healing
Ion Flux Regulation of Macrophage Plasticity in Lung Injury and Repair
Seeing if changes in calcium and potassium signals inside lung immune cells make those cells either cause or heal lung inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172569 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how two ion-handling proteins, the P2RX7 receptor and the TWIK2 potassium channel, influence whether lung macrophages promote inflammation or repair tissue. Researchers will use cell-based experiments and animal models and analyze human-derived samples to map how calcium influx and potassium efflux change macrophage behavior. They will define the signaling steps that push macrophages toward a pro-inflammatory or a reparative state and test how altering these ion flows changes lung injury and recovery. Findings could point to drug targets that shift macrophages toward healing in inflammatory lung conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory lung conditions (for example acute lung injury or ARDS) or those willing to donate blood or lung samples would be most relevant for related patient-facing efforts.
Not a fit: People without inflammatory lung disease or whose breathing problems are unrelated to macrophage-driven inflammation may not directly benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that steer lung immune cells away from harmful inflammation and toward tissue repair.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have shown roles for P2RX7 and ion flux in macrophage activation, but translating those findings into patient treatments remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Kiwook — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kim, Kiwook
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.