Immune signals between macrophages and T cells that drive chronic lung transplant rejection (CLAD)
Crosstalk between profibrotic monocyte-derived macrophages and T cells in the pathobiology of CLAD
This project looks at how certain immune cells talk to each other and keep causing damage after lung transplant, aiming to help people who develop or are at risk for chronic lung transplant dysfunction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research that studies lungs, blood, and immune cells from transplant patients to see how monocyte-derived macrophages and T cells interact. The team will focus on a signaling pathway called CSF1 and will use lab models alongside patient samples to track which cells make inflammatory signals and how that sustains harmful macrophages. They will search for biological markers that warn of CLAD and test whether blocking these signals changes disease-related cell behavior. If you are a lung transplant recipient, your samples or clinical information might be used to learn more about why CLAD develops.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have had a lung transplant, especially those within a few years after transplant or showing early signs of CLAD such as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome or restrictive allograft syndrome.
Not a fit: People without a lung transplant or with lung problems unrelated to transplant rejection are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biomarkers and new treatment targets that help prevent or slow chronic lung transplant rejection.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal studies, and preliminary human data from the team, suggest CSF1-driven macrophages play a role in fibrosis but human treatments for CLAD based on this approach are not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Misharin, Alexander — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Misharin, Alexander
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.