Understanding how lung cells repair themselves in pulmonary fibrosis
Official title: Targeting dysfunctional epithelial repair in pulmonary fibrosis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10946269 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how lung cells heal after they get hurt, especially for people with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), to find out why some healing processes work well while others don’t, which could help develop better treatments for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $651,019 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL175555-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10946269 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or those experiencing chronic lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute lung injuries that do not progress to fibrosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind how lung epithelial cells repair themselves after injury, particularly in the context of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). It focuses on identifying the differences between effective and ineffective repair processes, using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze lung cells from patients. By studying how certain lung cells behave after repeated injuries, the research aims to uncover pathways that lead to dysfunctional repair, which could inform new treatment strategies for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve lung repair and function in patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding lung repair mechanisms, but this specific approach focusing on dysfunctional epithelial repair in pulmonary fibrosis is relatively novel.
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.