Stopping blood-vessel signaling to prevent severe lung injury
Targeting mechanisms activating ion-channel for preventing acute lung injury
This project develops a way to block a specific ion channel in lung blood-vessel cells to help stop fluid buildup and inflammation that cause ARDS in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300224 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are focusing on a protein channel called TRPC6 that lets calcium into lung blood-vessel cells during infections and drives damaging inflammation. They are using molecular tools (including NMR), engineered mutations, and lab models to see how changing a single amino acid (I111 to L111) or blocking that spot with a peptide shifts cells from an inflammatory state into a healing, regenerative state. The team will measure changes in healing-related proteins like ERG and look for increased endothelial cell growth and repair of leaky vessels. Their approach aims to stop the leak and inflammation that fills the lungs with protein-rich fluid in acute lung injury and ARDS.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The eventual trials based on this work would target adults with acute lung injury or ARDS, especially following bacterial or viral infections.
Not a fit: People with chronic non-acute lung diseases, children, or those whose illness is driven by unrelated mechanisms may not benefit directly from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce lung damage, promote blood-vessel repair, and improve survival for patients with acute lung injury or ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior preclinical work by the investigators shows blocking the I111 site on TRPC6 can switch endothelial cells toward regeneration in laboratory and animal models, but this approach has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Dolly — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Dolly
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.