How the ASK1 protein influences lung scarring in men and women
Official title: Sex differences in ASK1-mediated pulmonary fibrosis
Funded at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center · NIH-11109429 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether the cell protein ASK1 drives lung scarring after injury and whether it acts differently in men versus women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Augusta, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005889-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11109429 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pulmonary fibrosis or scarring after severe lung injury (including post-COVID survivors) and U.S. Veterans with lung fibrosis would be the most directly relevant patient groups.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lung fibrosis or whose lung problems are caused by unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this basic science work.
What this research studies
The team will study how ASK1, a stress-activated protein, contributes to the scarring process that causes pulmonary fibrosis and why the disease is more common in men. Researchers will use laboratory models that mimic lung injury and fibrosis, examine ASK1-linked signaling pathways (including p38 and ERK1/2), and explore how sex hormones alter these responses. The work will analyze cell death, inflammation, and the behavior of scar-forming cells to map how ASK1 promotes fibrosis. Results are intended to point toward targets for therapies that could prevent or slow lung scarring.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that limit or prevent lung scarring and help tailor therapies for men and women.
How similar studies have gone: Related research has linked ASK1 to scarring in other organs and ASK1-blocking drugs have been tested elsewhere with mixed results, so applying this specifically to lung fibrosis is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
Augusta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Waters, Christopher M — Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Waters, Christopher M
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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.