How aging changes immune reactions to organ transplants
Official title: Aging and transplant immunity
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11321226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Learning how older people's immune systems respond differently to organ transplants so treatments can be safer and better tailored for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 3, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,367,894 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI175397-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11321226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults who are waiting for or have received an organ transplant and who are willing to provide medical information and biologic samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without a need for organ transplantation or who are much younger may not directly benefit from the age-focused findings in this project.
What this research studies
This research brings together teams to study why older transplant recipients react differently to donated organs compared with younger people. Scientists will look at immune cells (like T and B cells), antibodies, and supporting tissue cells to understand age-related changes that drive rejection or inflammation. The work combines lab studies on cells and tissues with samples and data from transplant patients to connect basic findings to real-world care. The aim is to identify age-specific targets that could lead to different immunosuppression or protective approaches for older patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to transplant treatments adapted for older adults that lower rejection risk and reduce harmful side effects of current drugs.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows the immune system changes with age, but age-specific transplant strategies are largely untested and this program builds on emerging evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tullius, Stefan Gunther — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tullius, Stefan Gunther
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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.