# Biophysics and Physiology

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2020 · $283,711

## Abstract

Abstract
The focus of the Program Project is to assess the signaling mechanisms and impact of several synergistic
biochemical and cellular processes on lung vascular endothelial barrier re-sealing and adherens junction (AJ)
assembly in systems ranging from single cells to animal models. The overriding objective of Core D is to define
the biophysical and physiological bases of restoration of lung fluid balance in post-inflammatory lung injury.
Core D will provide physiological assessment of lung vascular permeability. The Specifc Aims of Core D are:
(1) to measure VE-cadherin-mediated adhesion and junctional strengthening and (2) to quantify changes in
VE-cadherin affinity, in cell pairs subjected to different treatments described in all Projects; (3) to quantify
static and dynamic tension at VE-cadherin junctions in response to treatments described in all Projects; (4) to
perform hydraulic pressure-based measurements of endothelial barrier permeability, and (5) to perform
transvascular protein and liquid permeability measurements of lung endothelium in vivo and in vitro. To
achieve these aims, Dr. Deborah Leckband, Core D leader and expert in mechanobiology and adhesion, will
oversee Core D activities related to biophysical analyses of endothelial junctions. Dr. Stephen Vogel, an
accomplished pulmonary vascular physiologist, will be responsible for the physiological aspects of Core D
centering on lung permeability assessments. The Biophysics and Physiology Core will be essential for
meeting the scientific objectives of each Project, because it will allow PIs to quantify the mechanical properties
of re-annealing intercellular junctions and to assess how intercellular adhesion and junction tension contribute
to lung vascular barrier resealing dynamics. All projects will use all Core D services offered.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9970540
- **Project number:** 5P01HL060678-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Deborah E Leckband
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $283,711
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2000-03-08 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9970540

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9970540, Biophysics and Physiology (5P01HL060678-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9970540. Licensed CC0.

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