Understanding how low iron levels make inflammation worse
Official title: Iron deficiency worsens inflammatory tissue injury: mechanisms and outcomes
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11184441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how having low iron might make inflammation and tissue damage worse, especially in vital organs like the lungs and kidneys.
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 | September 6, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $576,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136691-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11184441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational laboratory research does not directly involve patient participation, but future studies based on this work may seek individuals with iron deficiency and inflammatory conditions like acute lung or kidney injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have iron deficiency or inflammatory conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific foundational research.
What this research studies
Many people worldwide, particularly in disadvantaged communities, experience low iron levels. Our previous work suggests that low iron can significantly worsen inflammation, leading to increased damage in organs such as the lungs and kidneys. This project aims to uncover the precise molecular ways that iron deficiency and inflammation interact. We will focus on how immune cells called macrophages and the lining of blood vessels respond to inflammation when iron levels are low, and how this impacts lung and kidney health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to protect vital organs like the lungs and kidneys from damage during inflammatory conditions by addressing iron deficiency.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work in mouse models has shown an unexpected link between iron deficiency and worsened inflammation, suggesting a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nemeth, Elizabeta — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Nemeth, Elizabeta
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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.