How sex differences affect lung injury in emphysema
Official title: Sexual dimorphism in susceptibility to emphysematous tissue injury
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11088805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how being male or female might change the way emphysema affects your lungs, especially for smokers, to help find better treatments that fit each person's needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $728,054 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL167202-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are male and female smokers who are experiencing symptoms of emphysema or have been diagnosed with COPD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or have never smoked may not benefit from this research, as it specifically examines the effects of smoking on lung injury.
What this research studies
This research investigates how biological differences between sexes influence the severity of emphysema, a form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The study focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind these differences, particularly how they affect immune cells in the lungs. By analyzing gene expression and immune cell behavior in response to cigarette smoke, researchers aim to uncover why male smokers may experience more severe lung damage than female smokers. This could lead to more tailored treatments for emphysema based on sex.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for emphysema that consider sex differences, potentially enhancing patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that sex differences can significantly impact disease severity in various conditions, suggesting that this research could build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shim, Yun Michael — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Shim, Yun Michael
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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.