ZIP8 and zinc’s role in lung cell aging and scarring
ZIP8-dependent Zinc Metabolic Regulation in Alveolar Progenitor Cell Aging and Fibrosis
Researchers want to see if fixing zinc transport through a protein called ZIP8 can help lung repair in older adults and people with pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11306026 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2s), the lung progenitor cells that repair the air sacs and become exhausted with age and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Scientists will study how ZIP8, a zinc transporter, controls zinc metabolism in AEC2s and how that affects cell renewal and scarring. They will use human lung samples, organoid (mini‑lung) assays, and experimental models to test whether restoring ZIP8 function or zinc balance improves AEC2 regeneration and reduces fibrosis. The goal is to reveal mechanisms that could point to ways to rejuvenate aged lung cells and reduce age‑related lung scarring.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include older adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or people willing to donate lung tissue during surgery or biopsy for research.
Not a fit: People with unrelated lung problems, active severe infections, or very advanced irreversible lung damage may not benefit from this research approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that restore lung repair and slow or reverse scarring in IPF and other age-related lung diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies link zinc and AEC2 function and show AEC2 exhaustion in IPF, but targeting ZIP8 and zinc metabolism as a therapy is a novel approach not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liang, Carol Jiurong — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Liang, Carol Jiurong
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.