Targeting age-related cell changes in cystic fibrosis lungs
Official title: Epigenetic Modulation of Cellular Senescence in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11289383 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will test whether changing epigenetic signals can reduce harmful aging-like changes in lung cells of people with cystic fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $611,120 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169253-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289383 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cystic fibrosis who are willing to provide airway samples or participate in associated clinical protocols (children and adults as allowed by the study) would be the likely candidates for participation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled, who cannot provide required samples, or whose disease is driven by unrelated mechanisms may not receive direct benefit from this research in the short term.
What this research studies
This work focuses on the chronic inflammation in CF that appears to speed up cellular aging in the lungs and worsen disease. Scientists will study airway cells from people with CF and laboratory models to map gene-regulating regions and chromatin accessibility using techniques like ATAC-seq, and to examine the roles of AP-1 and the epigenetic reader BRD4. They will test approaches that alter those epigenetic signals to see if cell function such as mucociliary clearance can be improved. The project aims to translate those molecular findings into ideas for future therapies to protect lung tissue in people with CF.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that slow or reverse damaging cell aging in CF lungs and improve lung function and mucus clearance.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory studies have shown anti-aging approaches can improve mucociliary clearance in CF airway cells, but epigenetic-targeting strategies like BRD4 or AP-1 modulation remain largely experimental for clinical use.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sanders, Yan — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Sanders, Yan
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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.