Investigating how a specific protein affects lung disease development
Official title: Role of the ER stress transcription factor XBP1S in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11001548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called XBP1S affects another protein, MUC5B, in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), hoping to find new ways to help treat this serious lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $328,114 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL155951-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, particularly those with the MUC5B promoter variant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other forms of lung disease or those without idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a severe lung disease with no known cure. It examines the role of a protein called XBP1S, which is linked to the overproduction of another protein, MUC5B, in the lungs of individuals with IPF. By understanding how XBP1S influences MUC5B expression, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that may contribute to the progression of IPF. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatment strategies targeting these pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the genetic factors contributing to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Gang — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Chen, Gang
Related research
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-
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Unraveling IPF subtypes to guide prognosis and therapy
This grant aims to identify different IPF subtypes in the lung to improve how we predict outcomes and tailor treatments for people with IPF.
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A small business gig is developing a targeted antibody drug (VSR-H5) to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in patients, aiming for better safety and effectiveness than current medicines.
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Repurposing Vonoprazan as an inhaled therapy for IPF
A high-profile NIH grant is testing whether an existing drug, vonoprazan, can be inhaled to slow or reverse lung fibrosis in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
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Proteomic profile of IPF progression to help tailor treatments
A study will look for blood protein patterns that predict how IPF lung disease will progress in patients.
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.