Different neutrophils in severe COVID-19 lung failure
Official title: Neutrophil Heterogeneity and Immunopathogenesis of COVID-19 ARDS
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11247911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how different neutrophils cause severe COVID-19 lung failure to help guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $574,104 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI172873-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults hospitalized with COVID-19, especially those with or at high risk for ARDS, who can provide blood samples or consent to use of respiratory specimens.
✕Less likely to help
People without COVID-19 or those with mild illness who are not hospitalized are unlikely to be eligible or directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project analyzes blood and lung samples from people with severe COVID-19 to identify distinct neutrophil types linked to ARDS. Researchers will use multi-omics profiling and laboratory tests to see which neutrophil subsets form NETs, activate platelets, degranulate, or drive clotting and inflammation. They will compare cells from severe patients to those from milder cases and healthy controls to connect cell behavior with disease severity. The findings aim to point to specific cell types or pathways that could be targeted to reduce lung injury and immunothrombosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new targets for treatments that reduce lung inflammation, blood clots, and respiratory failure in severe COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked neutrophil NETs and low-density neutrophils to severe COVID-19 and thrombosis, but the specific CD16-intermediate LDN subset and its functions are newly described and remain under study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yan, Jun — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Yan, Jun
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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.