Role of lactate transporters in lung scarring
Official title: Role of lactate transporters in pulmonary fibrosis
Funded at Rhode Island Hospital · NIH-11477025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to see if blocking lactate transporters can slow or stop scar-forming cells from thickening the lungs in people with fibrotic lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $782,074 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL167718-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11477025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with IPF or related pulmonary fibrosis who may benefit from future metabolic therapies targeting lactate transport.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pulmonary fibrosis or those unable to participate in preclinical-to-animal studies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests how blocking lactate transporters (MCT1/4) affects the behavior of lung fibroblasts and fibrosis in models that mimic human IPF. It builds on evidence that these transporters are higher in fibrotic tissue and that their inhibition may enhance cellular respiration and reduce fibrotic gene activity. By studying cells in the lab and animal-like models, the researchers hope to reveal a potential new way to prevent myofibroblast formation and lung scarring. If successful, this could point to new antifibrotic strategies that target metabolism. The work is led by Rhode Island Hospital with a focus on a disease that severely limits breathing and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with pulmonary fibrosis could have a new therapeutic approach that slows scarring and preserves lung function.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show that inhibiting lactate transporters reduces fibrosis and improves cellular respiration in models, supporting potential benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Rhode Island Hospital
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oldham, William Michael — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Oldham, William Michael
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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.