YAP and TAZ in lung air‑sac cell repair
YAP and TAZ regulate alveolar epithelial cell regeneration during lung repair
This research looks at whether proteins called YAP and TAZ help air‑sac (alveolar) cells recover after injury, which could benefit people with pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11027931 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies how the Hippo‑YAP/TAZ signaling pathway controls regeneration of alveolar type 1 and type 2 cells after lung injury. They use genetic and molecular tools and ATAC‑seq to map gene regulatory changes during repair in experimental lung injury and in human fibrotic lung samples. By comparing normal repair to the persistent YAP/TAZ activation seen in pulmonary fibrosis, they aim to identify mechanisms that block normal cell differentiation. Findings will point to molecular targets to restore healthy alveolar regeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with pulmonary fibrosis or individuals able to donate lung tissue or clinical samples for research.
Not a fit: People without lung disease or those unable to provide tissue/samples or travel to the study site are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to restore normal lung lining cell repair and slow or prevent progression of pulmonary fibrosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies have shown YAP/TAZ influence alveolar cell growth and repair, but translating these findings to human pulmonary fibrosis remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gokey, Jason Joseph — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gokey, Jason Joseph
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.