How COVID-19 affects airway cell regeneration
Official title: COVID-19 imprints airway basal cells to impair epithelium regeneration
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10914242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 affects special cells in your airways that help heal them after infections, and it's for people who have had severe COVID-19 to help understand why these healing cells might not work as well afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $208,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI173494-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced severe COVID-19 and are facing ongoing respiratory issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been infected with COVID-19 or those with mild cases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of COVID-19 on airway basal stem cells, which are crucial for repairing the airway epithelium after viral infections. By analyzing samples from patients with severe COVID-19, the study aims to understand how these cells become impaired in their ability to regenerate. The researchers will use advanced techniques to assess the function and characteristics of these cells, comparing them to those from patients with other respiratory issues. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms behind the damage caused by COVID-19 and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance airway regeneration in COVID-19 patients, improving recovery and reducing long-term respiratory complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the cellular mechanisms of respiratory infections can lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ai, Xingbin — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ai, Xingbin
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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.