NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Screening new compounds to reverse gene signatures in IPF lungs

Official title: Screening of novel compounds through the reversal of gene expression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Funded at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-11494256 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A researcher hopes to find compounds that reverse harmful gene changes in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

More Fibrosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHenry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2025
Project endMarch 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$521,483
NIH project number5R61HL177451-02
Project IDNIH-11494256 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with IPF or related fibrosing lung conditions could be relevant once therapies advance to human testing.

Less likely to help

Participants in early lab studies may not directly benefit until later clinical steps.

What this research studies

This project aims to identify and test compounds that can flip disease-related gene signals in IPF-affected lung tissue. Using advanced AI and single-cell data, researchers will pinpoint targets in small airways and evaluate how compounds affect these targets. The work focuses on translating molecular findings into potential therapies that could slow or reverse fibrosis in patients with IPF.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pave the way for treatments that halt or reverse lung fibrosis and improve survival and quality of life for IPF patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous IPF drugs slow progression but do not reverse fibrosis; this approach seeks a novel reversal of disease signals.

Where this research is happening

  • Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
    East Lansing, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Li, Xiaopeng — Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Li, Xiaopeng

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Repurposing Pyrvinium as an Inhaled Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

    A patient-friendly look at a project trying to use an existing drug, pyrvinium, as an inhaled treatment option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

    NIH research Oleolive, INC. · Shreveport, United States · NIH-11550918

  • Unraveling IPF subtypes to guide prognosis and therapy

    This grant aims to identify different IPF subtypes in the lung to improve how we predict outcomes and tailor treatments for people with IPF.

    NIH research University of Kansas Medical Center · Kansas City, United States · NIH-11411171

  • Novel antibody therapy to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

    A small business gig is developing a targeted antibody drug (VSR-H5) to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in patients, aiming for better safety and effectiveness than current medicines.

    NIH research Vasarya Therapeutics, INC. · Camden, United States · NIH-11382077

  • Repurposing Vonoprazan as an inhaled therapy for IPF

    A high-profile NIH grant is testing whether an existing drug, vonoprazan, can be inhaled to slow or reverse lung fibrosis in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

    NIH research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11366024

  • Proteomic profile of IPF progression to help tailor treatments

    A study will look for blood protein patterns that predict how IPF lung disease will progress in patients.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11365030

  • Adrenergic Nerves and Noradrenaline in Lung Fibrosis

    A physician-scientist-in-training at Yale seeks to build a patient-focused research program on how nerve signals and adrenaline affect lung scarring in IPF.

    NIH research Yale University · New Haven, United States · NIH-11351083

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.