How lung blood vessel cells guide immune responses after injury
The Lung Endothelium as an Instructive Niche for the Innate Immune System during Vascular Injury
This project aims to understand how the cells that line lung blood vessels direct immune reactions after injury to help people with acute lung injury or ARDS.
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-11167432 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at the cells that form the lung blood vessel lining and how they communicate with immune cells when the lung is injured. Researchers will use tools like RNA sequencing to read gene activity and advanced imaging such as two-photon microscopy to watch cell behavior. They will compare different types of lung endothelial cells from arteries, veins, and tiny vessels and use lab models and tissue samples to map signals that cause leakage and inflammation. The findings are meant to point to specific molecules that could be targeted to protect the lung blood vessel barrier during acute injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people hospitalized with acute lung injury or ARDS, or patients at high risk for ARDS due to trauma, severe infection, or related causes.
Not a fit: People with chronic lung conditions unrelated to acute vascular leakage or those needing immediate lifesaving interventions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new treatments that prevent blood vessel leak and fluid buildup, reducing respiratory failure in acute lung injury and ARDS.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by this team and others has shown that lung endothelial cells influence immune responses and identified gene changes, but turning those findings into targeted therapies remains mostly at the preclinical stage.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Dolly — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Dolly
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.