How the protein resistin drives inflammation in pulmonary hypertension
Resistin regulates NLRP3 inflammasome in pulmonary hypertension
This work explores whether the protein resistin sparks inflammation that contributes to pulmonary hypertension and could point to new treatment targets for people with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145656 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study lung tissue from people with pulmonary arterial hypertension and use mouse and cell experiments to trace how resistin (Hresistin/RELMα) activates the NLRP3 inflammasome. They will examine signaling molecules like HMGB1 and the kinase BTK to see how the inflammasome is primed and triggered. Laboratory tests will measure inflammation, immune cell activation, and changes in the lung vasculature and right heart when these pathways are active or blocked. The team aims to connect findings from patient samples to mechanisms that could be targeted by new therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pulmonary arterial hypertension, including idiopathic and scleroderma-associated forms, who might provide lung tissue samples or participate in related clinical studies.
Not a fit: People without pulmonary hypertension or whose disease is driven by non-inflammatory causes are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal new drug targets to reduce inflammation and slow or prevent blood vessel and right heart damage in pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in patient lungs and animal models link resistin/RELMα and the NLRP3 inflammasome to pulmonary hypertension, but directly targeting this pathway in people is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johns, Roger a — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Johns, Roger a
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.