Immune cells blocking lung repair stem cells in emphysema
Official title: Suppression of alveolar stem cells by tissue-resident lymphocytes in emphysema
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11251570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how immune cells in the lungs may stop repair stem cells after viral infections in people with emphysema.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $671,343 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL177013-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with emphysema (a form of COPD), especially those who have had recent respiratory viral infections, would be most relevant for sample donation or future clinical steps.
✕Less likely to help
People without emphysema or whose breathing problems are caused by unrelated conditions may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how tissue-resident lymphocytes (a type of immune cell) affect alveolar type 2 (AT2) stem cells that repair the air sacs. They use mouse models with a gene change linked to emphysema and infect lungs with respiratory viruses to see how immune cells respond. The team also analyzes human lung tissue from people with emphysema to compare which AT2 cells are lost and which immune cells accumulate. Lab tests examine immune signals like interferon gamma to find ways to protect or restore the lung stem cell reservoir.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to protect or restore lung repair cells and reduce severe flare-ups and lung decline in emphysema.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show immune signals can harm lung repair cells, but directly targeting tissue-resident lymphocytes to restore alveolar stem cells is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peng, Tien — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Peng, Tien
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: a study in diverse adults
Researchers will look at CT scans and lung tests in older adults to understand different forms of emphysema and how they relate to health outcomes.
-
Lithium as a potential disease-modifying treatment for emphysema using a precision approach
A low-dose lithium approach is being studied to slow or modify emphysema in smokers who have COPD.
-
Imaging and multi-omics to find subtypes of emphysema in COPD
This project looks for molecular subtypes of emphysema in COPD by combining imaging with blood and tissue data to improve understanding and treatment options.
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Precision phenotyping of emphysema in the elderly: the MESA Lung Study
Aging adults with or without COPD-related symptoms may benefit from a new study that maps subtypes of emphysema on CT scans to better predict health risks.
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E-cigarette use and emphysema risk in young adults (VapeScan)
A study to understand whether vaping or traditional cigarettes cause early lung damage in young adults.
-
Loss of lung blood-vessel stem cells that may speed lung aging and raise emphysema risk
Researchers will look at how losing a type of lung blood-vessel progenitor cell may make lungs age faster and increase emphysema risk in adults.
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.