Understanding and treating severe lung damage from viruses like SARS-CoV-2
Official title: Role of ERK1/2 signaling in SARS-CoV-2 -induced dysregulated immunity and lung pathology.
Funded at Oklahoma State University Stillwater · NIH-11187002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how certain viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, cause severe lung inflammation and damage, aiming to find new ways to protect patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oklahoma State University Stillwater NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stillwater, United States) |
| Project start | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $521,972 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL165423-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11187002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit future patients suffering from severe viral lung infections, acute lung injury, or acute respiratory distress syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without severe viral lung infections or related acute lung conditions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
When severe respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 infect the body, they can lead to excessive inflammation and serious lung conditions such as acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our team has found that a specific pathway, called ERK1/2, plays a key role in this harmful immune response within the lungs. By blocking this ERK1/2 pathway, we observed a reduction in inflammation and an improvement in the body's ability to fight the virus. This project aims to confirm how ERK1/2 contributes to lung damage and to see if blocking it could be a promising new treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce severe lung inflammation and enhance the body's antiviral defenses against dangerous respiratory viruses.
How similar studies have gone: Our preliminary findings suggest a novel approach, building on existing knowledge about viral infections and immune responses.
Where this research is happening
-
Oklahoma State University Stillwater
Stillwater, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Channappanavar, Rudragouda — Oklahoma State University Stillwater
- Study coordinator: Channappanavar, Rudragouda
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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.