Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Official title: Project 1: Immune determinants of lung sequelae post-acute viral infection
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11332091 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at Cedars-Sinai is studying why some people develop lasting breathing problems and lung scarring after severe viral infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $469,975 |
| NIH project number | 1P01HL184926-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332091 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with a history of severe viral infection and ongoing lung fibrosis or dyspnea may be eligible for future related studies and tissue/biospecimen contributions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without post-viral lung complications or fibrosis may not directly benefit from this work.
What this research studies
The grant will use mouse models and patient samples to map how immune cells, especially CD8 T cells, interact with lung tissue to cause chronic inflammation and fibrosis after viral infections. Researchers will look at how immune signals keep T cells active and how this affects the fate of airway cells and the surrounding macrophage environment. The work aims to connect these immune processes to observed patterns of lung scarring seen in patients with post-viral fibrosis and other lung diseases. By coordinating with core facilities, the project will integrate data across models and human samples to build a systems-level view of virus-driven lung fibrosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to prevent or treat chronic lung scarring after viral infections, potentially improving breathing and quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in lung fibrosis has shown immune-epithelial interactions contribute to scarring, but this project aims to clarify mechanisms in post-viral contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jie — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jie
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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.