How the protein PDLIM2 helps lung immune cells control infection and inflammation
The NF-kappaB modulator PDLIM2 as an intrinsic checkpoint of alveolar macrophages critical for lung innate immunity, inflammation and diseases
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · NIH-11305214
This project looks at how the protein PDLIM2 helps lung immune cells called alveolar macrophages fight infection and keep inflammation from getting out of control in conditions like pneumonia and ARDS.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11305214 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team will study alveolar macrophages — the immune cells that patrol the lungs — to see how PDLIM2 affects their ability to eat germs and calm inflammation. They will examine how PDLIM2 interacts with immune molecules such as PD-L1, CD80, NF-kappaB (RelA), and STAT3 using laboratory experiments on cells and animal models and by analyzing lung samples. The researchers aim to understand why macrophages sometimes shift from protecting the lung to causing damage during severe infections or lung injury. Learning these mechanisms could point to ways to tune macrophage behavior to prevent or treat pneumonia and acute respiratory distress.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pneumonia, acute lung injury, or ARDS, or patients undergoing lung procedures who can donate lung samples would be the most relevant candidates to contribute to or benefit from this research.
Not a fit: People without lung disease or those seeking an immediate therapy are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic-science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for new treatments that strengthen lung defenses or reduce harmful inflammation in pneumonia, acute lung injury, and ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: This builds on recent laboratory findings about PD-L1 and PDLIM2 in lung macrophages but remains a largely novel, preclinical line of work not yet translated into proven patient treatments.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: QU, ZHAOXIA — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- Study coordinator: QU, ZHAOXIA
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 Lung Injury, Acute Pulmonary Injury, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome