# Mucociliary clearance in aging

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $308,525

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The elderly are four times more likely to develop pneumonia than younger age groups and nearly 90% of
deaths due to pneumonia occur in those 65 or older. We know that mucociliary clearance is impaired in normal
aging in humans, however the mechanisms of this slowing are unknown. We have recently established a mouse
model of aging that will allow us to determine the mechanisms of ciliary slowing. Our supporting data suggest
that increases in protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) activity and expression of PKCε protein play a role in the
slowing of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) with age. Aging is a pleotropic, complex process that can vary greatly
from individual to individual. We wanted to focus on how one hallmark of aging, DNA damage, affects CBF. In
addition, DNA strand breaks also play a role. We hypothesize that normal aging leads to DNA strand breaks,
and elevated PKCε signaling, resulting in dysfunctional mucociliary clearance. We will test this hypothesis
through the following specific aims: 1) Establish that elevated PKCε signaling slows CBF in aging, and then
restore normal CBF by inhibiting this pathway. 2) Determine how double-stranded DNA breaks, a hallmark of
aging, affect CBF. 3) Demonstrate that CBF is slowed in aging humans and determine the role of both double-
stranded DNA breaks and PKCε in slowing CBF.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9928868
- **Project number:** 5R01AG053553-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristina L Bailey
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $308,525
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-30 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9928868

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9928868, Mucociliary clearance in aging (5R01AG053553-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9928868. Licensed CC0.

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