How neutrophils adapt in pneumonia
Transcriptional Regulation of Migrating Neutrophils during Pneumonia
This research looks at how infection-fighting white blood cells called neutrophils change as they move into the lungs during pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140954 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect neutrophils from the blood and lung airspaces during pneumonia and measure which genes are turned on or off as the cells move between compartments. They will link those gene activity patterns to how the neutrophils behave and whether they contribute to lung injury or recovery. The team will use laboratory models to test key pathways identified in those cells and to find molecules that might modify harmful neutrophil responses. The overall approach is to map neutrophil changes so future treatments can reduce damaging inflammation while preserving infection control.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with active pneumonia who can provide blood samples or respiratory samples (for example, sputum or samples obtained during clinical bronchoscopy).
Not a fit: People without pneumonia or those expecting immediate personal therapeutic benefit are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new ways to prevent or limit neutrophil-driven lung damage in people with pneumonia.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows immune cells change during lung infection, but mapping neutrophil gene programs across blood-to-lung compartments is a relatively new and not-yet-translated area.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Traber, Katrina — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Traber, Katrina
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.