RNA edits that affect lung blood vessel cells in pulmonary hypertension
Official title: RNA editing controls pulmonary endothelial pathophenotypes in pulmonary hypertension
Funded at National Jewish Health · NIH-11393161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how RNA editing in lung blood vessel cells may influence pulmonary hypertension and its progression, with the goal of guiding future therapies for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Jewish Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL161320-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with pulmonary hypertension or related vascular issues, or researchers who can translate findings into patient-focused therapies.
✕Less likely to help
This project does not involve direct patient treatment at this stage and may not benefit individuals seeking immediate clinical care.
What this research studies
The project centers on how RNA editing by the enzyme ADAR1 affects pulmonary artery endothelial cells and their survival in pulmonary hypertension. It combines mentorship, coursework, enrichment activities, and hands-on research to develop Dr. Woodcock’s independent research trajectory. By identifying which genes in PAECs are modified by ADAR1, the work aims to uncover new mechanisms driving fatal vascular disease and point toward potential therapeutic targets. The study uses in vitro analyses and sequencing to map RNA edits linked to endothelial cell pathophenotypes. Overall, the effort seeks to translate basic findings into strategies that could improve outcomes for people with PH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with pulmonary hypertension could benefit from new targets or approaches to prevent endothelial cell death and disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work on RNA editing and vascular biology suggests RNA edits can influence cell survival, supporting potential for meaningful advances here.
Where this research is happening
-
National Jewish Health
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodcock, Chen-Shan Julia — National Jewish Health
- Study coordinator: Woodcock, Chen-Shan Julia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how CD4 T cells fuel schistosomiasis-related lung disease
A study explores how specific immune cells and inflammatory signals in schistosomiasis may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in people affected by the disease.
-
CD4 T Cells, Schistosoma, and Pulmonary Hypertension: Understanding How Immune Cells Drive Disease
A human-health focused study uses a mouse model and human samples to explore how immune cells and inflammation may contribute to a lung blood vessel disease linked to schistosomiasis.
-
CD4 T Cells and Schistosoma-Related Pulmonary Hypertension
A study to understand how specific immune cells behave in a lung complication caused by schistosomiasis, with the goal of finding targets to prevent or treat it.
-
Clinical CT Imaging to identify and subtype pulmonary hypertension in COPD
A new CT imaging approach aims to help doctors detect and classify pulmonary hypertension in people with COPD.
-
Right heart remodeling in pulmonary hypertension
In people with pulmonary hypertension, researchers are studying how the right side of the heart changes and why it fails, with the goal of finding new treatments.
-
TEMPO-PH: How the right heart adapts in pulmonary hypertension over time
A study to build a detailed molecular portrait of why the right side of the heart fails in pulmonary hypertension and how a common heart medicine might help.
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.