Follistatin-like 1 helps the lungs defend against pneumonia
Official title: Follistatin-like 1 Mediated Host Defense in Bacterial Pneumonia
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11380649 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how a protein called FSTL-1 helps the body fight bacterial pneumonia, with a focus on adults and children and a common resistant bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $567,734 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL158576-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380649 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group in this basic research grant, but findings aim to translate to both adults and children with pneumonia.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient participation is described in this preclinical project.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying how FSTL-1 may boost lung defenses against Klebsiella pneumoniae, a dangerous pneumonia-causing bacteria. They will look at how FSTL-1 interacts with immune cells in the lungs, including how it affects neutrophil recruitment and bacterial killing. The work uses preclinical models to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new immune-based therapies for pneumonia. The goal is to identify targets that could improve outcomes for patients with antibiotic-resistant infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new immune-based treatments that help people fight bacterial pneumonia more effectively, including antibiotic-resistant cases.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in related immune pathways suggest similar approaches can modulate lung defense, though this exact mechanism is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campfield, Brian T — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Campfield, Brian T
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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.