Controlling long‑lasting immune memory to improve organ transplant survival
Studying and regulating trained immunity in mouse transplant models
Researchers are working to change the immune system's long-term memory so transplanted organs last longer for people who need them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322162 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team uses mouse transplant models to learn why some organs (like kidneys and livers) are easier for the body to accept than others (like hearts and lungs). They focus on 'trained immunity,' lasting changes in bone marrow that make some immune cells overly aggressive and promote rejection. The researchers test ways to reverse or regulate those changes, including how co‑transplanting a kidney can make other organs more tolerable. Findings in mice are meant to guide new treatments that could one day help people keep their transplants with less long‑term immunosuppression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have received or are awaiting organ transplants—especially those at high risk of rejection for organs like the heart or lung—would be the main candidates for related future clinical trials.
Not a fit: Patients without organ transplants or with medical problems unrelated to immune‑mediated rejection are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce or eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs and improve long‑term graft survival.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown trained immunity can drive rejection, but using methods to safely reprogram bone marrow for transplant tolerance in patients is still a new and developing approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teunissen, Abraham — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Teunissen, Abraham
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 below.