Promoting lung blood-vessel lining recovery after ARDS by targeting caspase 3
Targeting Divergent Roles of Caspase 3 to Promote Endothelial Barrier Recovery
Aiming to help people with ARDS regain the lung blood-vessel barrier by changing how the enzyme caspase 3 acts in endothelial cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11317222 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how caspase 3, an enzyme usually linked to cell death, also affects the healing of the blood-vessel lining in the lung after ARDS. The team will map the molecular switch between injury-driven apoptosis and recovery-driven cell growth using laboratory models and human-relevant samples. By defining non-traditional roles of caspase 3 in endothelial cells, they plan to identify targets that could limit leakage and promote barrier repair. Results are intended to guide development of treatments that protect and restore lung vascular function after severe injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who currently have acute respiratory distress syndrome or are recovering from ARDS would be the likely candidates for related future trials or to provide samples for this research.
Not a fit: People without ARDS, children, or those whose respiratory failure is driven mainly by airway disease or chronic lung conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce lung fluid leakage, speed recovery, and lower mortality from ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Using caspase 3 to promote barrier recovery is a relatively new idea; prior ARDS work focused on lowering inflammation or blocking cell death and has had limited success in patients, so this approach remains largely untested clinically.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Damarla, Mahendra — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Damarla, Mahendra
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.