Spleen's role in calming inflammation from air pollution
Role of Splenic Pro-Resolving Mediators During Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution
Researchers are looking at whether tiny particles in polluted air damage the spleen’s inflammation-healing signals and raise the risk of heart and blood vessel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299486 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective, the team exposes mice to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and studies changes in the spleen, blood cells, and immune cells that control inflammation. They measure markers of red blood cell aging, iron handling, and the special lipid signals and receptors that normally help resolve inflammation. The researchers will link these spleen and blood changes to worsening of atherosclerosis in mouse models and explore the molecular pathways involved. Findings aim to point to pathways or molecules that could be targeted to reduce pollution-driven heart and blood vessel damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or those living in areas with high air pollution exposure would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People with health problems unrelated to inflammation or cardiovascular disease are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets or strategies to protect people from air pollution-related increases in heart and vascular disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human research links air pollution to inflammation and heart disease, but focused work on splenic pro-resolving mediators and their role is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hellmann, Jason L — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Hellmann, Jason L
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.