Understanding Lung Scarring and Injury
Mechanisms Regulating Lung Injury and Early Lung Fibrosis
This program aims to understand how a specific protein, MUC5B, makes lungs vulnerable to injury and scarring, particularly in conditions like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11132847 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are exploring how a protein called MUC5B might make some people's lungs more susceptible to damage and scarring. Our goal is to figure out if having too much MUC5B creates a 'vulnerable lung' that then needs a second trigger, like another injury, to develop serious scarring. We believe that MUC5B causes stress in the small airways of the lungs, and a second injury then leads to more severe stress and the activation of cells that cause fibrosis. By understanding these steps, we hope to find new ways to prevent or treat lung scarring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to individuals with a genetic variant that leads to higher MUC5B levels and those at risk for or diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).
Not a fit: Patients with lung conditions unrelated to MUC5B overexpression or lung fibrosis may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify individuals at risk for lung scarring and develop new treatments for conditions like Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: While MUC5B has been identified as a novel molecule in IPF, this program explores the specific two-hit mechanism, which represents a new direction for understanding disease progression.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, David Albert — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, David Albert
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 below.