Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
Official title: Defining the role of SLC9A1 in fibroblast pathobiology during Systemic Sclerosis and Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11446161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A five-year NIH grant aims to understand how a specific cell protein called SLC9A1 influences scar-forming cells in systemic sclerosis and related lung disease, with the goal of finding possible therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $608,966 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086894-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with systemic sclerosis and/or SSc-associated interstitial lung disease for future translational or biomarker studies, or those contributing patient-derived samples.
✕Less likely to help
Participants not directly benefiting may include those providing samples or data for mechanistic studies without therapeutic intervention in the short term.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a protein that controls how cells take up nutrients and how fibroblasts become activated in systemic sclerosis. Researchers will study how SLC9A1 affects macropinocytosis and fibroblast behavior in skin and lung tissues, and test whether targeting this protein could reduce fibrosis. The study will use cellular and animal models to explore mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches over five years. The goal is to uncover steps in disease progression that could lead to new treatments for patients with SSc and SSc-ILD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify a new therapeutic target to slow or prevent organ fibrosis in systemic sclerosis and its lung complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests SLC9A1 influences fibrogenic processes, but its exact role in SSc and SSc-ILD is not yet defined, making this approach exploratory yet promising.
Where this research is happening
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University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsoyi, Konstantin — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Tsoyi, Konstantin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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From proteins and genes to new treatments for scar-related lung disease
A large NIH grant is working to map the proteins in the lungs of people with systemic sclerosis to find new targets for drugs that could slow or stop lung fibrosis.
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Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Disease in Adults
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Functional markers to guide treatment in systemic sclerosis–related lung disease
A research grant at USC is studying blood biomarkers that show whether medicines are helping people with systemic sclerosis–related interstitial lung disease.
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Systemic sclerosis-related lung disease: who’s at risk and what blood markers hint at it
A dedicated research grant asks how to identify which people with systemic sclerosis will develop interstitial lung disease and which blood biomarkers can signal that risk.
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New treatments for lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
This project looks for new drug targets and therapies to help people with systemic sclerosis who have scarring in their lungs.
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How immune cells drive lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
Learning how immune signals cause lung scarring in people with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease using patient lung tissue to point to better treatments.
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.