How CD4 T cells drive pulmonary hypertension from Schistosoma infection
Activation, Phenotype and Function of CD4 T Cells in Schistosoma-Pulmonary Hypertension
This research links findings from mouse models with blood and lung samples from people with schistosomiasis to find immune signals, especially CD4 T cells and proteins that activate TGF-β, that lead to pulmonary hypertension.
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-11415236 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses a mouse model of Schistosoma-related lung disease to trace how CD4 T cells trigger other immune cells and proteins that remodel lung blood vessels. The team will characterize immune cell types, chemokines, and proteins such as thrombospondin-1 that activate latent TGF-β and drive vascular scarring. Researchers will also analyze blood and lung biospecimens from people with severe schistosomiasis to look for the same protein or cell signatures. Data from mice and human samples will be compared to pinpoint immune pathways that could become targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a history of schistosomiasis—especially those with symptoms, a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, or who are at high risk for lung vascular disease—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People whose pulmonary hypertension is clearly caused by other conditions (for example left-heart disease or chronic lung disease) or who do not have schistosomiasis are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify immune signals to target for new treatments that prevent or reduce pulmonary hypertension in people with schistosomiasis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mouse work from this group and others has shown Th2 CD4 activation, monocyte recruitment, and TSP-1/TGF-β roles in Schistosoma-PH, but translating those findings to human patients is still limited and emerging.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Brian Barkley — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Graham, Brian Barkley
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.