How the CREB protein controls lung immune cells and inflammation
CREB Programming of Alveolar Macrophage Population and Inflammatory Lung Injury
This project looks at whether the protein CREB helps lung immune cells called alveolar macrophages reduce harmful inflammation after lung injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172571 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The research team is studying how CREB shapes different types of lung macrophages that help repair the lungs after inflammation. They use mouse models where CREB is removed from specific immune cells to see how those macrophages change and whether lungs suffer more inflammation or damage. The team examines cell markers, gene activity, and macrophage behavior during infection or injury to find signals that promote repair. Results are intended to point toward ways to boost repair-type macrophages for people with severe lung inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have experienced severe inflammatory lung injury (for example ARDS, severe pneumonia, or other acute lung infections) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose lung problems are not driven by inflammation or alveolar macrophage dysfunction (for example some purely genetic lung disorders) may be less likely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that encourage lung repair and reduce harmful inflammation after infections or acute lung injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies indicate that changing macrophage programming can alter inflammation, but targeting CREB specifically is a newer approach that has not yet been translated to human treatments.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Dolly — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Dolly
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.