How fat metabolism shapes lung immune cells in sudden lung injury
The role of lipid metabolism in lung macrophage activity and phenotypes during acute lung injury
This project looks at how the way lung immune cells process fats changes their behavior during sudden lung injury like severe flu-related lung damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11116406 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will compare lung-resident alveolar macrophages with bone marrow–derived macrophages to see how fat breakdown and lipid production differ between them. They will use infection models (including influenza A) and lab analyses of cell metabolism, gene activity, and lipid levels to track those differences. The team will manipulate key fat-oxidation enzymes and examine how those changes affect inflammation and cell survival in the lung. Results will help explain why lung macrophages respond differently than other macrophages during acute lung injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have experienced acute lung injury or severe influenza-related lung inflammation, or who are willing to donate clinical samples such as bronchoalveolar lavage, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Patients without recent lung inflammation or with chronic lung conditions unrelated to acute inflammatory injury are unlikely to see direct benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce damaging lung inflammation and improve recovery after acute lung injury or severe influenza.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies show metabolism controls macrophage behavior, but applying those findings specifically to alveolar macrophages during acute lung injury is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vigeland, Christine Lee — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Vigeland, Christine Lee
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.