How acid reflux might harm lung transplants
Physiologic and molecular mechanisms linking gastroesophageal reflux with chronic lung allograft dysfunction
This project explores whether stomach acid or tiny amounts of stomach contents that reach the lungs cause early and long-term problems in people who have had lung transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193903 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you've had a lung transplant, this project will look at whether acid reflux and tiny amounts of stomach contents getting into the lungs hurt your new lung. Researchers will measure how the esophagus works, test airway samples for signs of microaspiration, and check for immune changes linked to injury. They will also use laboratory models to trace the molecular steps from aspiration to early graft injury and later scarring. The aim is to identify which patients are most at risk and suggest ways to prevent or slow chronic lung transplant failure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have received a lung transplant and may have symptoms or testing suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux or suspected microaspiration.
Not a fit: Patients without a history of lung transplant or those with unrelated lung conditions would not benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify patients at high risk for transplant damage from reflux and suggest treatments to prevent or slow chronic lung graft failure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical efforts to control reflux after transplant (like fundoplication or proton pump inhibitors) have had mixed results, so parts of this work build on prior findings while other parts are novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perlman, Harris R — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Perlman, Harris R
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.