Tiny immune-cell particles that may cause long-term lung damage after chlorine or bromine gas exposure
Role of proteolytic extracellular vesicles in halogen gas dependent chronic lung injury
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · NIH-11144389
This project looks at whether tiny particles released by white blood cells carry an enzyme that causes lasting airway damage in people exposed to chlorine or bromine gas.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11144389 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory models of chlorine and bromine gas exposure to study small extracellular vesicles released by neutrophils that carry the enzyme neutrophil elastase. They will measure whether these vesicles remain proteolytically active despite natural inhibitors and whether they drive airway reactivity, fibrosis, and remodeling. The team will test whether blocking the enzyme or the vesicles prevents progression from acute injury to chronic lung disease. Findings will focus on mechanisms that could later be targeted to stop or treat long-term lung problems after halogen gas exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have been exposed to chlorine or bromine gas and who have ongoing airway reactivity, fibrosis, or other chronic lung problems would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical follow-up or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without a history of halogen gas exposure or those with unrelated lung conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat chronic lung damage after chlorine or bromine gas exposure by targeting harmful enzyme-bearing vesicles.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies showed neutrophil-derived vesicles carrying elastase can cause airway damage, but applying this mechanism to chlorine or bromine gas injury is a new direction.
Where this research is happening
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM — BIRMINGHAM, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PATEL, RAKESH P. — UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- Study coordinator: PATEL, RAKESH P.
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.
Conditions: Acute Lung Injury, Acute Pulmonary Injury, Airway Disease