How lung cells called macrophages help repair the lungs after inflammation
Reparative functions of human airspace macrophage subsets
This project explores how special immune cells in the lungs, called macrophages, help clean up damage and repair tissue after an infection or inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | National Jewish Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11137623 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
When your lungs experience inflammation, like from an infection, dead cells need to be removed and the lung lining needs to heal. This project looks closely at specific immune cells, called airspace macrophages, which are known to help with this cleanup and repair process. Researchers want to understand if different types of these macrophages have unique jobs in healing the lungs. They are building on earlier work that identified distinct macrophage types in healthy adults after a mild lung inflammation. The goal is to discover exactly how these different macrophage subsets contribute to lung recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational work is relevant to adults aged 21 and older who experience acute lung inflammation or conditions like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Not a fit: Patients whose lung conditions are not related to inflammation, dead cell clearance, or epithelial repair may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how these immune cells repair the lungs could lead to new ways to help patients recover from severe lung conditions like Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have identified different macrophage subsets and their potential roles, but the exact mechanisms linking their cleanup function to lung repair in humans are still being uncovered.
Where this research is happening
Denver, United States
- National Jewish Health — Denver, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mould, Kara J — National Jewish Health
- Study coordinator: Mould, Kara J
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.