Understanding and preventing early lung fibrosis in at-risk people
Official title: Disease Mechanisms of Early Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11392446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to uncover the early clues and biology that lead to lung fibrosis and to develop ways to prevent it before symptoms start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,773,672 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL172729-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with a family history of pulmonary fibrosis or other risk factors who may be identified in the cohort of asymptomatic relatives.
✕Less likely to help
People without the identified risk factors or genetic predisposition may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program brings together several projects to study people who are at risk for pulmonary fibrosis before they show symptoms. Researchers will look at genetic, transcriptomic, epigenetic, metabolic, and environmental data to understand how the disease begins and progresses. The team will use findings to develop strategies for early risk prediction and prevention, with a focus on translating discoveries into new therapies. The work builds on an existing cohort of relatives of patients with familial PF to explore early disease signals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could lead to earlier risk detection and new preventive approaches that reduce the chances of developing symptomatic pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in PF has identified early molecular changes, but this program aims to define and intervene during the pre-symptomatic phase.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blackwell, Timothy S. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Blackwell, Timothy S.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Molecular clues to progressive lung scarring
Researchers are studying how lung tissue becomes progressively scarred, focusing on cell signals and receptors that may drive fibrosis in people with lung disease.
-
Alveolar Cell Dysfunction in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Using SFTPC Mutations to Find New Targets
This grant explores how rare SFTPC mutations in alveolar cells may drive IPF and seeks new molecular targets to improve treatment.
-
Iron and scar-forming cells in the lungs (IPF)
Researchers are exploring how iron in the lungs may drive the scarring seen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and whether this could lead to new therapies.
-
Repurposing Pyrvinium as an Inhaled Therapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
A patient-friendly look at a project trying to use an existing drug, pyrvinium, as an inhaled treatment option for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
-
Screening new compounds to reverse gene signatures in IPF lungs
A researcher hopes to find compounds that reverse harmful gene changes in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
-
Role of lactate transporters in lung scarring
Aims to see if blocking lactate transporters can slow or stop scar-forming cells from thickening the lungs in people with fibrotic lung disease.
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.