How immune cells in the lungs respond to fungal infections
Heterogeneous immune responses of the alveolar macrophage population during pulmonary fungal infections
This study is looking at how a special type of immune cell in your lungs helps fight off fungal infections and sometimes makes things worse, with the goal of finding better ways to treat these infections for people like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10908431 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of alveolar macrophages, a type of immune cell in the lungs, during infections caused by inhaled fungi. It aims to understand how these cells can both protect against and contribute to disease, using advanced techniques like flow cytometry and gene expression analysis. By examining the different subpopulations of these macrophages, the study seeks to uncover how they respond to fungal pathogens and the mechanisms behind their varied functions. This knowledge could lead to better strategies for treating fungal infections in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with pulmonary fungal infections, particularly those caused by pathogens like Cryptococcus or Aspergillus.
Not a fit: Patients with non-fungal respiratory infections or those without lung-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from fungal infections by enhancing our understanding of immune responses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shinohara, Mari L. — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Shinohara, Mari L.
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.