How lung cell energy affects healing after severe lung injury
Mitochondrial metabolism controls alveolar epithelial cell fate
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11142994
This project looks at whether restoring the tiny powerhouses (mitochondria) in lung cells can help adults recovering from severe pneumonia or ARDS rebuild healthy lung tissue.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11142994 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are focusing on a special group of lung cells that help repair the air sacs after severe injury and seem to change their metabolism when recovery goes wrong. They will examine these "transitional" alveolar cells to see how mitochondrial complex I and NAD+ pathways influence whether cells successfully become healthy repair cells or go down a path linked to scarring. Work will combine experiments in laboratory models and analyses of human lung tissue to trace cause-and-effect and identify molecular targets. The team aims to connect cellular metabolism changes to the long-term lung problems some ARDS survivors develop.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who had severe pneumonia or ARDS—including people recovering from COVID-19 with ongoing breathing problems or imaging that shows lung scarring—are the most relevant group for this research.
Not a fit: People with mild respiratory illnesses or lung conditions driven by airway inflammation alone (for example, uncomplicated asthma) are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that boost lung repair after ARDS and reduce the risk of long-term scarring or respiratory disability.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked mitochondrial dysfunction and NAD+ metabolism to lung fibrosis and development, but translating those findings into human therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAN, SEUNGHYE — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: HAN, SEUNGHYE
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