How tire and road wear particles affect healthy and inflamed lungs
Official title: Pathophysiologic impacts of tire and road wear particles in healthy and inflamed Lungs
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11367023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies how tire and road wear particles may harm the lungs, especially when inflammation is already present, to help protect people who breathe polluted air.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $756,930 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES037697-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11367023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would include individuals with allergic or inflammatory lung conditions and healthy volunteers in future translational steps for exposure-related research.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without respiratory conditions may benefit less directly from mechanistic insights.
What this research studies
Researchers will use lab tests and animal studies to understand how tire-derived particles form toxic compounds under different environmental conditions, how inhaled particles affect lung and body systems, and how pre-existing lung inflammation changes the response. They will examine interactions between TRWP, 6PPD/6PPD-Q, and inflammatory pathways, focusing on mitochondria and immune signaling. The study combines chemistry, inhalation exposure, and biology to uncover mechanisms that could lead to safer materials or better protection for at-risk individuals. Findings could inform future regulation and public health guidelines related to air pollution and respiratory disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better protection for people with lung conditions and inform regulatory strategies to limit harmful non-exhaust particle exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Past research shows that environmental particles can trigger lung inflammation, and this project aims to clarify mechanisms and conditions that drive harm.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hussain, Salik — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Hussain, Salik
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.