Protein MRI agent to detect early lung scarring
Precision MRI with Protein Contrast Agent for Noninvasive Detection of Lung Fibrosis
A new protein-based MRI contrast agent designed to find early lung scarring in people with pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic lung diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Inlighta Biosciences, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Marietta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11186147 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing a protein contrast agent that binds to type I collagen so MRI can highlight areas of lung fibrosis. Researchers are testing the agent in animal models and performing toxicology and metal-clearance studies to check safety. The aim is to create a noninvasive MRI method that shows where fibrosis is active and how severe it is, reducing the need for risky surgical lung biopsies. If preclinical results are promising, the team plans to move toward human imaging studies to detect and stage lung fibrosis over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with suspected or diagnosed interstitial lung disease (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) or unexplained progressive breathlessness that may be due to lung scarring.
Not a fit: People without fibrotic lung disease, and those with severe kidney failure or known sensitivity to metal-based contrast agents, may not benefit or could be excluded from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could allow earlier, safer, and more detailed noninvasive detection and monitoring of lung fibrosis, helping guide treatment without risky biopsies.
How similar studies have performed: This collagen-targeted MRI approach is largely experimental—standard imaging like HRCT is commonly used but cannot reliably detect early fibrosis, and protein-based MRI contrast agents have limited clinical data to date.
Where this research is happening
Marietta, United States
- Inlighta Biosciences, LLC — Marietta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Jenny J. — Inlighta Biosciences, LLC
- Study coordinator: Yang, Jenny J.
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.