Mitochondrial damage after chlorine inhalation and lung injury
Mitochondrial DNA Injury is a Key Contributor to the Development of Chemical Lung Injury
This project looks at whether damage to the mitochondria in lung cells after chlorine gas exposure leads to severe breathing problems like ARDS, using lab and animal work to find ways to protect the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323089 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers expose mice and use lung cells in the lab to track when mitochondrial DNA is damaged after chlorine gas inhalation and how that damage triggers inflammation and scarring. They compare normal mice to mice lacking the DNA-repair enzyme OGG1 and also test a drug intended to protect mitochondrial DNA. The team will measure survival, lung function, tissue scarring, and molecular signs of inflammation to see whether protecting mitochondrial DNA reduces acute and long-term lung injury. Findings could point to treatments to lessen death and chronic breathing problems after chemical inhalation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who have experienced acute chlorine gas inhalation or who develop acute lung injury/ARDS after chemical exposure would be the population most directly relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People with lung problems caused by non-oxidative mechanisms (for example cardiogenic pulmonary edema) or those whose injury is unrelated to mitochondrial oxidative damage may not benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce death and long-term lung damage after chlorine gas inhalation by protecting mitochondrial DNA.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and lab studies have shown mitochondrial DNA damage in ARDS and some mito-targeted therapies look promising, but applying OGG1 manipulation and this specific approach to chlorine injury is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matalon, Sadis — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Matalon, Sadis
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.