How lung immune cells change and repair after flu and similar viral infections
Elucidating the roles of alveolar macrophage inflammation and self renewal during influenza infection
This work looks at how lung immune cells in adults, especially older people, become inflammatory or self-renew after flu and COVID-like infections to find new treatment targets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11352674 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers will compare lung immune cells called alveolar macrophages from young and older animals and from people to see how they respond to viral infections. They will study two key molecular switches (TCF4 and β-catenin) that control whether these cells self-renew or become pro-inflammatory. The team will use laboratory experiments on cells and animal models alongside analysis of human lung or respiratory samples to map these pathways. They will also test approaches that target TCF4 to see if switching macrophages back to a repair mode reduces lung damage after infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults—particularly older adults who have had recent influenza or COVID-19 and are willing to provide respiratory or lung samples—would be the most relevant candidates to contribute clinical samples or join related studies.
Not a fit: Children, people without respiratory viral illness, or those not willing to provide samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce harmful lung inflammation and long-term complications after respiratory viral infections in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown TCF4 and β-catenin influence alveolar macrophage behavior, but translating these findings into human therapies is novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jie
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.