Caspase-8’s key role in helping the lungs tolerate and fight severe infections
Official title: Central role of Caspase-8 in control of host tolerance and resistance mechanisms in pulmonary macrophage populations during severe respiratory infections
Funded at Brown University · NIH-11541253 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how a protein called Caspase-8 helps lung immune cells balance fighting infections with protecting lung tissue, aiming to benefit people who get severe pneumonia after flu or other infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $92,583 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL165259-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11541253 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pneumonia or severe respiratory infections in whom lung macrophage responses and Caspase-8–related pathways are relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without respiratory infections or those not affected by Caspase-8–related pathways may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The project focuses on how alveolar macrophages use Caspase-8 to control whether the immune system aggressively fights bacteria or preserves lung tissue during severe respiratory infections. It looks at how cell death pathways influence both infection control and tissue tolerance in pneumonia scenarios, especially when flu precedes bacterial pneumonia. The team will use models that mimic human lung infections to understand how Caspase-8 affects macrophage behavior and outcomes. Findings could reveal targets to improve recovery and reduce lung damage in patients with severe pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to reduce death and lung damage from pneumonia by modulating host tolerance and immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked macrophage cell death pathways to infection outcomes, with additional studies needed to translate these findings to human patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jamieson, Amanda M — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Jamieson, Amanda M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.