Molecular clues behind progressive lung sarcoidosis
Official title: Molecular Characterization of Progressive Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
Funded at National Jewish Health · NIH-11173880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at proteins and genes in blood and lab granuloma models to find early signs that someone with sarcoidosis will develop worsening lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Jewish Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $784,774 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL162955-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11173880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with pulmonary sarcoidosis who can provide blood samples and follow-up clinical data are the most suitable candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without pulmonary sarcoidosis, or those unwilling/unable to provide blood samples or attend follow-up visits, are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you join this research, investigators will enroll people with pulmonary sarcoidosis and collect blood samples and clinical information. They will compare immune cells from patients who later have worsening lung disease to those whose disease stays stable. Laboratory models of granulomas will be used alongside blood tests to measure proteins and gene activity. The goal is to find molecular signatures that could help identify higher-risk patients earlier and point to biological pathways behind disease progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify patients at higher risk of progressive lung sarcoidosis so they can get closer monitoring and earlier treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior pilot data identified promising protein and gene patterns, but applying these signatures to predict progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
National Jewish Health
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maier, Lisa a — National Jewish Health
- Study coordinator: Maier, Lisa a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative metabolomics to improve sarcoidosis diagnosis and prognosis
A research project from UCLA aims to find blood-based biomarkers that help diagnose sarcoidosis earlier and predict how it will progress, especially in African American women.
-
Predicting Lung Health in Sarcoidosis with Vitamin D Metabolism
Aging individuals with sarcoidosis, especially Black/African American women, may benefit from a clearer plan that uses vitamin D biology to predict and improve lung health.
-
Understanding how inflammation and scarring develop in pulmonary sarcoidosis
A doctor-scientist is studying why some people with sarcoidosis develop dangerous lung scarring and how to prevent it.
-
Peptide-based Diagnostic Test for Sarcoidosis
A new test using peptide-based ELISA is being developed to diagnose sarcoidosis, potentially reducing the need for invasive lung biopsies.
-
Molecular markers of progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis
This grant looks at proteins and genes in people with sarcoidosis to find early signs that the disease will worsen from the lungs.
-
Advanced imaging to monitor immune-suppressant therapy in active cardiac sarcoidosis
A patient-focused imaging study to see how MRI and PET 18F-FDG can track how well immune-suppressant treatment is working for active cardiac sarcoidosis.
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.