# Mentoring in Translational Research in Interstitial Lung Diseases

> **NIH NIH K24** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $113,931

## Abstract

K24 Supplement Project Summary
 The purpose of this project is to provide a diverse, talented URM PhD the capacity to significantly expand
her research program by elucidating the basic mechanisms by which metformin improves sarcoidosis lung
function. Metformin has been shown to reduce lung fibrosis in bleomycin-treated murine models, and in a
distinct investigation of diabetes patients, been demonstrated to alter the gut microbiome. We recently
reported that alteration of the gut microbiome reduced lung fibrosis in murine models (manuscript under
review). Review of the Vanderbilt electronic health record in sarcoidosis subjects suggests that metformin
also leads to improved sarcoidosis forced vital capacity. The parent K24 involves a rigorous clinical
investigation of the impact of metformin versus placebo on sarcoidosis lung function. Dr. Chioma will
investigate for alteration in the gut microbiome among the enrolled patients.
 Implementation of this project will occur concomitantly with a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-
blinded clinical trial of sarcoidosis subjects undergoing six months of treatment with either placebo or
metformin. Stool collection will occur at baseline and each patient visit. Dr. Chioma will assess for changes in
the stool microbiome among sarcoidosis patients randomized to metformin, compared to those randomized to
placebo. She will perform a complementary investigation for alterations of the systemic T cell
immunophenotype in each cohort. In addition, in order to obtain in vivo confirmation of the role of sarcoidosis
gut microbial diversity on lung fibrosis severity, she will gavage germ-free mice with sarcoidosis stool slurry
obtained at baseline and after metformin treatment, followed by intranasal bleomycin administration in order to
assess for distinctions in lung fibrosis severity in murine models.
 These findings will enhance understanding of the mechanisms by which metformin impacts sarcoidosis lung
function, while creating a distinct platform in which a talented, diverse URM PhD can further launch her career
in academic medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10606297
- **Project number:** 3K24HL127301-07A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Wonder P. Drake
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $113,931
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-02-15 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10606297

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10606297, Mentoring in Translational Research in Interstitial Lung Diseases (3K24HL127301-07A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10606297. Licensed CC0.

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