Immuno-Metabolic Drivers of Chronic Rejection after Lung Transplant
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11352598 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A doctor-researcher is studying why some lung transplant patients develop chronic rejection and what metabolic and immune signals cause this, with the goal of making BOS preventable or treatable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $169,140 |
| NIH project number | 1K08HL185919-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352598 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have received a lung transplant and are at risk for BOS, or future recipients who may benefit from improved therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without lung transplant or BOS risk are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model of lung transplant to mimic chronic rejection (BOS) and focuses on immune cells that present antigens. It examines how a deficiency in ATG16l1 in monocyte-derived antigen-presenting cells changes cellular metabolism toward inflammation and glycolysis, potentially driving BOS. The team will test whether blocking glycolysis in these immune cells can prevent BOS, and will map the metabolic and gene expression changes that accompany this process. The work builds on clinical observations linking ATG16L1 variants to BOS risk and aims to identify actionable targets for therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new strategies to prevent or treat chronic rejection after lung transplant.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical models and mechanistic studies have shown links between metabolism, IL-1β signaling, and alloimmune responses in transplantation, but this specific ATG16l1–glycolysis–BOS pathway is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cano, Marlene — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Cano, Marlene
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Detecting early lung transplant rejection with advanced imaging
This project uses a special imaging technique to find early signs of lung rejection in people who have had a lung transplant.
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Understanding how immune cells affect lung transplant rejection and dysfunction
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the lungs might affect the health of lung transplant patients over time, with the goal of finding ways to help them avoid problems and improve their recovery.
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Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
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Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
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Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
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Understanding why a lung transplant sometimes fails early and how to tailor treatment
A study of people receiving lung transplants to find molecular differences that cause early graft failure and point to better, personalized therapies.
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.