This $829,998 federal Project Grant awarded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) supports research at the University of Southern California (USC) to study the role of the protein PDLIM2 in regulating alveolar macrophage function and its impact on lung immunity, inflammation, and diseases.
The research aims to determine how PDLIM2 modulates the phagocytic activity, immune response, and susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia of alveolar macrophages - the primary immune cells in the lungs. Findings from this work are expected to improve understanding of lung innate immunity, inflammation, and infection, potentially revealing new therapeutic targets for treating lung diseases like cancer, COPD, and interstitial lung diseases. The grant period runs from April 1, 2025 to January 31, 2029.