How persistent viral parts in the lungs may drive long-term inflammation after respiratory infections
Official title: Pathogenic mechanisms of chronic lung sequelae following respiratory viral infection
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11387794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at why some people have lasting lung inflammation after respiratory viruses and how the body’s own immune cells keep the damage going, with the aim of finding broadly useful treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $739,634 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL176849-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who have recovered from acute respiratory infections but still experience persistent lung inflammation or breathing difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
People whose symptoms resolve quickly after infection may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh will study how lingering viral components in lung tissue may keep immune cells like CD8+ T cells and inflammatory macrophages active, leading to chronic lung problems after infections such as COVID-19. The project focuses on how viral antigens persist in pulmonary endothelial cells and drive a self-sustaining inflammatory environment. Using human-relevant models and tissue analyses, they will explore pathways that could be targets for therapies that help many patients with post-viral lung injury. If successful, the work could inform strategies to prevent or treat long-term breathing difficulties after respiratory infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to treatments that reduce chronic lung inflammation after respiratory infections, helping patients with long-lasting respiratory symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that persistent immune activity can contribute to chronic lung injury after viral infections, supporting the plausibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Lianghui — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Lianghui
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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.