Immune drivers of long-term lung damage after viral infection
Official title: Immune determinants of lung sequelae post-acute viral infection
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11445731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why some people’s lungs stay damaged after severe viral infections like COVID-19 and how to stop this scarring from getting worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 24, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $354,982 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL182700-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11445731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with a history of severe viral respiratory infections and ongoing lung sequelae may be relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of severe viral lung infection or current lung fibrosis may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project looks at how immune cells and lung tissue interact after a severe respiratory infection to cause lasting fibrosis and breathlessness. They will use mouse models and samples from patients to map which immune signals keep T cells active and how these signals influence lung cell fate. The goal is to identify targets for therapies that can prevent or reduce chronic lung injury after acute viral illness. The work could lead to new treatments that help people recover better and restore lung function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to therapies that reduce long-term lung scarring and improve breathing after severe viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Existing data from animal models and human samples suggest immune-epithelial interactions contribute to fibrosis, but therapies targeting this axis are still under development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jie — University of Virginia
- 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.