TREK-1 potassium channels as a new way to help adults with ARDS
Official title: The Role of TREK-1 potassium channels in ARDS
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11385390 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a specific lung channel called TREK-1 to see if boosting or preserving it can improve outcomes for adults with ARDS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $757,454 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175464-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385390 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with ARDS or at risk of developing ARDS who could benefit from future therapies targeting TREK-1 channels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose ARDS is not driven by pathways involving TREK-1 or who are not candidates for future TREK-1–targeted therapies.
What this research studies
This project focuses on understanding how TREK-1 potassium channels in the lung lining influence inflammation and injury in ARDS, a condition where the lungs struggle to exchange oxygen. The team uses models that simulate the harsh inflammatory and injury environment found in ARDS to study TREK-1’s role. They aim to identify whether changes in TREK-1 levels could be a target for new therapies and better ARDS models to test treatments. The research is led by a team at the University of California, Los Angeles, and builds on preliminary data suggesting TREK-1’s protective potential in lung injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that protect lung tissue and improve survival for ARDS patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in experimental models show TREK-1 channels influence lung inflammation, but their protective role in more clinically relevant ARDS settings is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwingshackl, Andreas — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Schwingshackl, Andreas
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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.