Understanding how mechanical ventilation harms the lungs
Official title: Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of lung injury during mechanical ventilation
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11014415 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the machines that help people breathe when they have serious lung problems can sometimes cause more harm, and it aims to find out how this happens so that we can make breathing treatments safer for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 15, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $550,898 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL142767-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014415 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who require mechanical ventilation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild respiratory issues that do not require mechanical ventilation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the harmful effects of mechanical ventilation on patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It focuses on how mechanical forces during ventilation can cause additional lung injury, known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind this injury, particularly the role of a protein complex called mTORC1, which may be a potential target for new treatments. By exploring these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve care for patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent lung injury in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeting molecular pathways like mTORC1 can be effective in reducing lung injury, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Englert, Joshua a — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Englert, Joshua a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Advancing Acute Respiratory Infection Care for Kids on Home Ventilators
This grant aims to improve how doctors and families manage acute respiratory infections in children who rely on invasive long-term home ventilation.
-
A Tablet-Based Emotion Regulation Program for Surrogate Decision-Makers of ICU Patients on Ventilation
A randomized trial tests a brief tablet program to help people who decide for ICU patients on ventilation feel less anxious and make better decisions.
-
Optimizing pain relief for children on mechanical ventilation
A large, multi-site trial tests whether adding non-opioid pain medicines to standard opioid care can reduce pain and lower opioid use in children on breathing machines in PICUs.
-
Role of titin in diaphragm weakness during mechanical ventilation
This grant studies how the diaphragm’s core proteins work together, especially titin and myosin, to understand why diaphragm weakness happens during mechanical ventilation.
-
Time-limited trials to guide invasive ventilation decisions
A scientific team is testing how short, structured trials of life-support in ICU patients with acute respiratory failure can help patients and families choose the best path.
-
How breathing machines can harm the kidneys
Doctors will look at how ventilators change kidney filtering and salt handling in people who are critically ill to help prevent kidney damage.
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.