How short telomeres affect immune health and outcomes after lung transplant
The Role of Telomeres in Lung Transplant Recipient Immunity and Outcomes
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11308303
This work looks at whether short telomeres change immune defenses, make viral infections worse, or alter rejection and recovery for people getting lung transplants, especially those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11308303 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you take part, doctors will check your blood and lung samples for telomere-related gene changes and measure immune cells and viruses such as cytomegalovirus. They will collect bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood over time after transplant to study immune cell function, viral activity, and signs of rejection. Researchers will compare people with short telomeres to those without to find patterns that explain infection risk and rejection. The goal is to connect these biological findings to real clinical outcomes after transplant.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People receiving lung transplants—especially those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or known/possible short telomere syndromes—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are not lung transplant recipients or who do not have telomere-related problems are unlikely to get direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help tailor immunosuppression and infection monitoring to reduce rejection and improve survival after lung transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked short telomeres to IPF and worse post-transplant outcomes, but applying these findings to explain immune dysfunction and rejection after lung transplant is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MCDYER, JOHN F — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: MCDYER, JOHN 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.