This National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Project Grant award under the Environmental Health (CFDA 93.113) federal grant program, totaling $470,500.00, aims to investigate the role of airway epithelial complement activation in the development of chronic beryllium disease (CBD). The study will: Conduct gene expression profiling of nasal and bronchial brushings from individuals with beryllium sensitization (BES), CBD, and healthy controls to determine if nasal brushings can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for lower airway complement pathway activation related to CBD. Validate the identified complement genes as key drivers of the immune response to beryllium using patient-derived CD4+ T cells and bronchial epithelial cell co-culture models with CRISPR-dCas9 gene manipulation. The findings from this 2-year project, awarded on September 19, 2024, are expected to enhance the understanding of novel genes and regulatory pathways associated with beryllium-induced lung disease, and establish a framework for investigating other granulomatous or exposure-related lung conditions.
Mod # | Description | Reason For Modification | Federal Obligation (Click to sort descending) | Date (Click to sort ascending) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not listed | $470.5k | 9/18/24 |