# Perivascular macrophages - a new player in regulating endothelial repair following lung vascular injury

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $480,883

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of Acute Lung Injury (ALI), characterized by injury
to endothelial cells (ECs) in the lungs that leads to vascular leakage and pulmonary edema. Currently, effective
treatments for ARDS are lacking, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies that focus on rejuvenating
EC regeneration and repairing blood vessels. Perivascular macrophages (PVMs), a specific subset of
macrophages located near blood vessels, are known to influence vascular function. However, their specific role
in endothelial repair during ARDS remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that PVMs
play a critical role in promoting EC regeneration and vascular repair following ALI/ARDS. The specific
aims are as follows:
 1) To determine the regulatory role of PVMs in promoting EC regeneration and vascular repair after
 ALI, we will use intravital microscopy imaging to observe the dynamic interactions between PVMs and
 ECs in live mouse lungs. We will conduct loss-of-function studies by genetically removing PVMs from the
 lungs, and gain-of-function studies by transferring PVMs into lungs using ALI models.
 2) To elucidate the specific mechanisms through which PVMs contribute to endothelial regeneration
 and vascular repair, we will investigate the involvement of exosomes released by PVMs and their
 primary cargo, Glutaminase, in facilitating communication between PVMs and ECs. Additionally, we will
 explore the impact of glutamine metabolism and associated changes in epigenetic regulation within ECs,
 which are driven by exosomal Glutaminase and crucial for promoting EC regeneration.
The outcomes of this project will have significant implications for the fields of macrophage biology and endothelial
research. Ultimately, this study aims to identify novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of ARDS, addressing
the critical need for effective interventions in this life-threatening condition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10878540
- **Project number:** 1R01HL169447-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Bisheng Zhou
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $480,883
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-15 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10878540

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10878540, Perivascular macrophages - a new player in regulating endothelial repair following lung vascular injury (1R01HL169447-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10878540. Licensed CC0.

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