How particle surface coatings change lung inflammation
Official title: Role of particle surface functionalization in inflammation
Funded at University of Montana · NIH-11303309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how the surface chemistry of tiny particles, like silica, asbestos, and engineered nanoparticles, changes inflammation that can harm the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Montana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Missoula, United States) |
| Project start | May 5, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $511,671 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES033533-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11303309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This is most relevant to people exposed to occupational or environmental dusts such as silica, asbestos, or countertop/granite dust, and to patients with particle-related lung inflammation or fibrosis.
✕Less likely to help
People with medical problems unrelated to particle exposure or non-pulmonary conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are using lab-grown immune cells and animal models to see how different surface treatments on tiny particles affect lung cell damage and inflammation. They expose macrophages and animals to particles with varied surface chemistry and then measure signs of cell stress, immune activation, and pathways linked to lung scarring. The team focuses on mechanisms such as lysosomal membrane damage and inflammasome activation that may drive harmful inflammation after exposure. The goal is to find specific particle properties and biological steps that could be targeted to prevent or lessen particle-driven lung disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to prevent or treat lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by dusts and engineered nanoparticles.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies have shown that nanoparticles can damage lung immune cells and trigger inflammasome pathways, but translating these findings into treatments is still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Montana
Missoula, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holian, Andrij — University of Montana
- Study coordinator: Holian, Andrij
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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.