How lung cells communicate to control airway and alveolar repair
Cell-cell interactions governing lung epithelial progenitor cells
This research uses 3-D lung organoids, mouse models, and human lung cells to uncover how progenitor cells and neighboring cells signal to improve repair for adults with lung disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309095 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team grows miniature 3-D lung tissues (organoids) to watch how lung progenitor cells interact with supporting cells that help repair airways and air sacs. They will use cells from mouse models of lung disease and refine methods to work with human lung cells, including single-cell RNA sequencing to read each cell’s signals. The lab will build a transplantation assay for lung progenitor cells to test whether corrected or healthy progenitors can aid repair. This work is preclinical and focused on understanding the molecular conversations that could later guide therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with lung disease who are willing to donate lung tissue samples or who may enroll in future cell-based therapy trials would be the most directly relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without lung disease, children, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to benefit from this basic/preclinical research right now.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal signals and cell types to target for new regenerative treatments that help lungs repair after injury or disease.
How similar studies have performed: Lab-grown lung organoids and single-cell sequencing have already improved understanding of lung biology, but translating these findings into proven human therapies remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Carla F. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kim, Carla F.
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.