Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis and Lung Disease in Adults
Official title: Vasculopathy and Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11415664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with systemic sclerosis will look at how blood vessels in the lungs and body relate to the development of lung disease, with the aim of finding new ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $626,903 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164758-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415664 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with systemic sclerosis who may be at risk for or have interstitial lung disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without systemic sclerosis or those not at risk for ILD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project follows adults with systemic sclerosis to understand why some develop interstitial lung disease. Researchers will combine imaging, functional tests, and molecular analysis to explore how the lung’s blood vessels relate to overall vascular health and lung function. They will track 100 participants over time to see how pulmonary microvascular changes correspond with ILD progression. The goal is to identify early vascular signals that could lead to new prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal targets to prevent or slow ILD in people with systemic sclerosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked vascular changes to ILD in systemic sclerosis, supporting the potential for meaningful findings in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bernstein, Elana J. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bernstein, Elana J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how a cell protein (SLC9A1) drives skin and lung scarring in systemic sclerosis
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.
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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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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.
-
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.