Small airways and mucus clearance in the lungs
Contribution of Small Airways to Mucociliary Transport Dysfunction
This project looks at how the tiniest airways affect mucus movement for people with conditions like cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289480 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on the small airways that make up most of the lung surface to understand why mucus sometimes fails to move out of the lungs. They will study how mucus strands, cilia, and ion (anion) secretion work together, comparing normal and disease conditions such as cystic fibrosis. The team uses laboratory experiments including animal models and airway tissue studies to measure mucociliary transport and mucus properties. Results are intended to explain small-airway contributions to mucus-clearance problems and point toward new ways to prevent infections and airway blockage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with airway diseases that involve mucus clearance problems—such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, or COPD—would be the most relevant candidates to donate samples or participate in future related trials.
Not a fit: Patients with lung conditions that do not involve mucus transport (for example isolated pulmonary vascular diseases) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments or strategies that improve mucus clearance and reduce lung infections and breathing problems in people with mucus-clearance disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown mucus strand problems in large airways, especially in cystic fibrosis, but focusing on small-airway mucociliary dysfunction is a newer approach that has not been thoroughly tested.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abou Alaiwa, Mahmoud — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Abou Alaiwa, Mahmoud
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.