Improving recovery from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by targeting a specific enzyme
Official title: Targeting Divergent Roles of Caspase 3 to Promote Endothelial Barrier Recovery
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11057632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special enzyme called caspase 3 helps heal blood vessels in people with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), with the hope of finding new ways to improve treatments and support recovery for patients.
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 start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $676,013 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173981-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic respiratory conditions unrelated to ARDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how a specific enzyme, caspase 3, plays different roles in the recovery of blood vessel barriers in patients suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The team will investigate how this enzyme can be manipulated to promote healing and restore function to damaged endothelial cells, which are crucial for maintaining proper blood vessel integrity. By exploring the balance between cell death and recovery signals, the research aims to identify new therapeutic targets that could enhance recovery from ARDS. Patients may benefit from insights that lead to improved treatments for this serious condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that significantly improve recovery rates and outcomes for patients with ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting apoptotic pathways for therapeutic benefits, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damarla, Mahendra — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Damarla, Mahendra
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.