Investigating how MUC5B affects lung injury and fibrosis
Official title: Targeting early events in MUC5B-driven lung injury and fibrosis
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10815877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called MUC5B might cause lung injuries and scarring, and it hopes to find ways to stop this damage, which could help people with lung conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $598,827 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL162607-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10815877 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to lung injury or fibrosis, particularly those with a known genetic predisposition involving MUC5B.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung conditions unrelated to MUC5B misexpression or those without significant lung injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the role of MUC5B misexpression in the development of lung injuries and fibrosis. By using both mouse models and human lung cells, the researchers will explore how changes in MUC5B levels can lead to harmful processes like cell death and fibrosis in the lungs. The study will focus on the mechanisms behind these changes and whether preventing cell death can help reduce lung damage and fibrosis. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments for lung conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies for preventing or treating lung fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of epithelial cell apoptosis in lung fibrosis, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riches, David W. — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Riches, David W.
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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.