How immune cells help tissues heal and regrow
Myeloid sphingolipid regulation of tissue resolution and regeneration responses
This research explores how specific immune cells called myeloid cells use a unique signal to help tissues recover and repair themselves after injury or inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140531 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores how our immune system's myeloid cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, play a crucial role in both causing and resolving inflammation. While neutrophils can cause damage early on, they are also vital for healing and regenerating new tissues later. We've discovered that a specific signal, called S1PR1, helps these neutrophils switch to a healing mode, allowing them to clear away damaged cells efficiently. This process is important for recovery from conditions like lung injury and acute liver failure, and we are developing a new treatment to activate this beneficial healing process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to understand processes relevant to those experiencing inflammatory tissue damage, such as in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or acute organ failure.
Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory tissue damage or conditions related to immune cell-driven healing processes would likely not benefit from this specific research direction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help the body heal from inflammatory tissue damage and regenerate new tissues more effectively.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of neutrophils in early inflammation is well-understood, their specific involvement in the resolution phase and the S1PR1 signaling pathway in this context is a novel area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hla, Timothy Tun — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hla, Timothy Tun
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.