Kidney-released osteopontin causing lung inflammation through immune cell CD44
Role of circulating Osteopontin and of Innate Immune Cell CD44 in Tissue Injury-induced Remote Lung Inflammation
This project looks at whether a protein released by injured kidneys, called osteopontin, makes lung immune cells bring in neutrophils and cause inflammation and breathing problems in people with acute kidney injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308245 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will examine how osteopontin or its fragments released after kidney injury interact with receptors (like CD44 and integrins) on innate immune cells in the lung. They will use laboratory models of kidney injury and lung inflammation alongside analyses of human blood samples to measure osteopontin levels and fragments. The team will track which lung cells respond and which signals attract neutrophils into lung capillaries. They will test whether blocking specific receptor interactions can prevent the neutrophil-driven lung inflammation that leads to respiratory problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with acute kidney injury or multiorgan failure who are at risk of developing lung inflammation or respiratory failure.
Not a fit: People without kidney injury or those whose lung problems have unrelated causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new therapies that block osteopontin or its interaction with CD44 to prevent lung inflammation and respiratory failure after acute kidney injury.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown higher osteopontin levels link to worse outcomes and respiratory failure, but targeting osteopontin/CD44 as a treatment in humans remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herrlich, Andreas — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Herrlich, Andreas
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 below.