Effects of Bronchial Segmental Endotoxin Instillation in Humans

Background: \- When bacteria enter the lungs, serious infections can occur. Researchers want to learn more about the process of inflammation in the lungs by studying lung cells and the products that they make. Lung cells are influenced by infections, smoking, and molecules made within the body. Researchers also want to learn more about one of these molecules, called microRNA (or micro ribonucleic acid). Objective: \- To better how the body responds to infection. Also, to understand which cells in the lung secrete microRNA and how they may influence other lung cells. Eligibility: \- Healthy, non-smoking adults ages 18-45. Design: * Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will have blood and urine tests and an electrocardiogram. * Participants will have blood drawn from an arm vein. They will have an intravenous catheter (small plastic tube) placed in a vein. * All participants will have bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. They will be numbed with medicine. A thin flexible tube will be placed through the nasal passages or the mouth into the airways of the lung. * Some participants will have bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (rinsing the airways with salt water) in order to obtain cells from lung. The water will then be suctioned out. * Some participants will have two bronchoscopies; during the first procedure, endotoxin, a molecule found in bacteria is squirted into a small portion of the lung. Endotoxin is a molecule that acts like an infection but isn t one. After 6 to 48 hours, bronchoscopy with with bronchoalveolar lavage will be done to look at the lung s response to endotoxin. * Participants heart rhythm and rate, temperature and blood oxygen level will be monitored during the procedures. * Participants will be called the next day to see how they are feeling.

NCT Number	NCT02392442
Lead Sponsor	National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Conditions	Acute Lung Inflammation
Enrollment	58 participants
Start Date	2015-06-18
Primary Completion	2027-06-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-06-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-07-17