How long-term fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) affects immune and metabolic health
Targets and targeting of immunometabolism in chronic PM2.5 exposure
This project looks for ways to reduce inflammation and metabolic harm caused by long-term exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) to help people at risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how breathing PM2.5 (tiny airborne particles) changes immune system activity and metabolism using a mix of human samples and laboratory models. They will study the molecular signals that drive ongoing inflammation and poor metabolic control after chronic exposure to air pollution. The team will use advanced techniques (like ATAC-seq) to find the exact immune and metabolic pathways that go awry and test whether targeting those pathways could reverse damage. The work aims to point to therapies or prevention strategies that could lower pollution-related risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who live in areas with sustained high PM2.5 exposure, especially those with or at risk for Type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not experience chronic PM2.5 exposure or who need immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this mechanistic research right away.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments or prevention approaches that reduce diabetes and heart disease risk caused by long-term air pollution.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have linked PM2.5 to inflammation, diabetes, and heart disease, but directly targeting immune metabolism to reverse those effects is a newer and still experimental approach.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maiseyeu, Andrei — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Maiseyeu, Andrei
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.