How lung blood vessel cells guide immune cells in acute lung injury
Endothelial Instruction of Macrophage Fate in Inflammatory Lung Injury
This project looks at how the cells lining lung blood vessels tell immune cells to switch into a repair mode after severe lung injury to help people with acute lung injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172574 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research follows how monocytes become tissue macrophages during acute lung injury and whether lung endothelial cells direct that change. Researchers will focus on endothelial signals—especially Wnt signaling—and how those signals alter macrophage mitochondrial metabolism, gene activity, and epigenetic marks. They will use laboratory models of lung injury, cellular experiments, and analysis of lung and blood samples to map these communication pathways. The team aims to identify signals that push macrophages toward tissue-repairing states.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with acute lung injury or ARDS, or patients who can provide lung or blood samples (for example via bronchoalveolar lavage or blood draws), would be the most relevant candidates for this research.
Not a fit: People without acute lung injury, children, or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this primarily basic and translational research program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to nudge immune cells to repair injured lung tissue, potentially reducing inflammation, scarring, and recovery time for people with acute lung injury.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and laboratory studies show macrophage programming can aid tissue repair, but applying endothelial Wnt–metabolism pathways specifically to human acute lung injury is a newer and still-emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rehman, Jalees — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Rehman, Jalees
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.