How airway cells and immune cells cause scarring after lung transplant
Airway epithelial cell and lymphocyte interactions in chronic lung allograft dysfunction pathogenesis
This project looks at how low oxygen and certain immune cells in the small airways lead to scarring that causes long-term lung transplant failure in people who have had lung transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171387 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team collects tiny airway cell samples (small airway brushings) from lung transplant recipients during routine bronchoscopies to study gene activity where scarring starts. They compare gene patterns across centers and use lab models that expose airway cells to low oxygen to see how those cells signal to T lymphocytes. Researchers will also examine the recruited T cells for genes that drive cell death and fibrosis. By combining patient samples and lab experiments, they hope to map the cell interactions that lead to chronic lung allograft dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have received a lung transplant and are undergoing follow-up bronchoscopies or are willing to provide small airway brush samples at participating transplant centers.
Not a fit: People without a lung transplant or those with very advanced, end-stage graft failure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify molecular targets to prevent airway scarring and help prolong lung transplant function and patient quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Prior multi-center gene-expression work from these teams has found related changes in airway samples and their preliminary data support the role of hypoxia and immune pathways, though translating these findings into therapies is still new.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greenland, John — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Greenland, John
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.