# Airway epithelial regulation of fibroblast hyaluronan and versican production in asthmatic airway inflammation

> **NIH NIH K08** · SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2020 · $162,324

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
This project is a NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) application for Dr.
Stephen Reeves, an Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of
Washington (UW). Dr. Reeves has completed his clinical training in Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine and has
both a clinical and research interest in the treatment of pediatric asthma. Dr. Reeves’ specific research interest
is understanding the role played by the airway epithelial cells (AECs) in regulating the production of extra-
cellular matrix (ECM) by airway mesenchymal cells and alterations in this process that may predispose to
airway inflammation. His long-term career goal is to establish himself as an independently-funded principle
investigator studying these mechanisms in human cells using basic science and translational approaches.
In order to achieve this goal, Dr. Reeves is requesting the NIH K08 support for additional training and
mentorship in the following specific areas: (1) additional training in airway cell biology including cell-cell and
cell-matrix interactions; (2) additional training in the methodology of ECM characterization and quantitation; (3)
additional training in laboratory techniques related to gene knockdown and gene editing; (4) additional training
in proteomic approaches and data analysis; (5) attendance of scientific conferences, career development
seminars, and additional classroom-based training relevant to this project; and (6) mentorship in the
development of an independent research focus with a goal of transitioning to scientific independence.
In the present application, Dr. Reeves proposes studies to further investigate the role that AEC signaling plays
in driving HA and VCAN deposition in the ECM by HLF. These studies will focus on following areas: Specific
Aim 1) determining if primary asthmatic AECs drive HLFs to produce an ECM enriched in HA and VCAN as
compared to AECs from healthy children; Specific Aim 2) determining if a HA- and VCAN-enriched ECM
produced by HLFs conditioned by asthmatic AECs increases leukocyte adhesion, migration, and activation, as
compared to ECM produced by HLFs co-cultured with healthy AECs; Specific Aim 3) determining if clinical
indices of lung function and airway inflammation among AEC donors correlate with HA and VCAN
accumulation in ECM, and with enhanced leukocyte adhesion, migration, and activation by ECM produced by
co-cultured HLFs. These studies hold promise in furthering our understanding of how AECs may regulate ECM
deposition by HLFs that ultimately protect against or predispose to inflammatory changes, which is at the
present poorly understood. Furthermore, it is anticipated these studies would provide the publications and
preliminary data needed to develop an independent research direction and apply for R01 funding at the end of
the career development support.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975887
- **Project number:** 5K08HL135266-04
- **Recipient organization:** SEATTLE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** STEPHEN R REEVES
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $162,324
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975887

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975887, Airway epithelial regulation of fibroblast hyaluronan and versican production in asthmatic airway inflammation (5K08HL135266-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975887. Licensed CC0.

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