The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded a $545,400 project grant under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) to Georgia Tech Research Corporation to investigate mechanosensing in lung fibrosis. The key objectives are to:
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Engineer 3D microtissue models using primary fibroblasts from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and healthy donors to study senescence and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling.
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Assess the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) mechanosignaling in regulating senescent phenotype, apoptosis, secretory pathways, and ECM remodeling in the microtissue models.
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Evaluate the therapeutic effects of inhaled FAK inhibitor microparticles in modulating fibroblast senescence and alleviating pulmonary fibrosis in an aged mouse model.
The project will run from July 2024 to June 2028 and includes a $263,100 sub-award to Trustees of Boston University to lead the development and use of the 3D microtissue platform.
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