How vaping might weaken the lungs and raise infection risk
Official title: Vaping has an immunosuppressive effect, rendering the lung more susceptible to microbial infections
Funded at North Carolina Central University · NIH-11377555 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether vaping e-liquid makes the lung more prone to infections, using human lung cells and a mouse model to study immune responses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina Central University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $187,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16HL178696-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377555 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with e-cigarette exposure history or interest in lung health, and patients whose cells can be studied in ex vivo models.
✕Less likely to help
Results may not directly translate to all patient groups or to long-term vaping effects beyond the studied models.
What this research studies
Researchers will use human bronchial cells grown in the lab to model how vaping affects lung immune function, then study lung injury in mice after exposure to vape aerosols. They will look at immune cell behavior and lung pathology to understand potential damage pathways. Finally, they will test whether prior vape exposure makes mice more susceptible to lung infection when challenged with a bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae. The aim is to uncover mechanisms by which e-cigarette use could contribute to pulmonary disease and infection risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify how vaping influences lung immunity and guide public health recommendations and safety messaging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests vaping can affect lung biology, but detailed mechanisms in humans remain to be defined, making this area actively investigated.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina Central University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onyenwoke, Rob U — North Carolina Central University
- Study coordinator: Onyenwoke, Rob U
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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.