# Extracellular Matrix-Derived Nanoparticles for Repairing Lung Injury

> **NIH NIH R21** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $217,379

## Abstract

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is diagnosed in 150,000 patients per year in the United States.
These types of lung injury may be caused by severe infection, inhaling dangerous substances, or trauma.
ARDS has a high impact on mortality with approximately half of all people diagnosed dying as a result of the
injury. No effective treatments exist for ARDS, and ventilator support is necessary for the patient to recover.
One reason there are no effective treatments is that pulmonary drug delivery is an area with many challenges
that is in need of novel approaches. The lungs have an aggressive innate and adaptive immune response in
combination with their complex structure, which makes delivering therapeutics difficult. In order to overcome
challenges in pulmonary drug delivery, nanoparticles may be utilized as delivery vehicles. Current nanoparticle
approaches such as lipid or polymer-based strategies may be rendered ineffective in the lung through
hydrolysis or may have dangerous degradation products. By using naturally-derived extracellular matrix (ECM)
proteins for the delivery vehicle, we can achieve an increase therapeutic effect. ECM-based nanoparticles
increase therapeutic effect through better cell attachment and regulating the immune response. Additionally,
ECM degradation has been shown to be antibacterial, and scaffolds made from these materials have been
accepted clinically for repair and reconstruction of other tissues. We hypothesize that engineered ECM
nanoparticles will be antibacterial and pro-regenerative to damaged lung tissue, enhancing the effects of
delivered therapeutics to treat ARDS. This hypothesis will be tested through two specific aims. In Aim 1 we will
quantify the antibiotic and pro-regenerative benefits of ECM nanoparticles delivered in vitro to primary lung
epithelium, neutrophils, and macrophages. In Aim 2 we will assess the delivery and regenerative potential of
ECM nanoparticles in an in vivo mouse model of lung injury. The ECM nanoparticles formed through
electrospray will provide a novel platform for drug delivery of biologics to the distal lung for improved treatment
options for ARDS and other lung diseases in the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9930155
- **Project number:** 5R21HL146250-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Rebecca Long Heise
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $217,379
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9930155

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9930155, Extracellular Matrix-Derived Nanoparticles for Repairing Lung Injury (5R21HL146250-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9930155. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*