Immunometabolic mediators of liver injury in influenza infection
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11437407 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how liver injury happens during severe flu with ARDS and how immune signals outside the lungs contribute to organ damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $172,260 |
| NIH project number | 1K08AI203678-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11437407 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe influenza complicated by ARDS or at high risk for liver involvement may benefit from advances arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without influenza-associated ARDS or liver involvement may not directly benefit from the study findings.
What this research studies
In this project, researchers at Weill Cornell investigate how liver cells respond to severe influenza and ARDS. They will identify which immune cells and signaling molecules drive mitochondrial problems in liver cells after flu infection. The team has already mapped liver gene changes suggesting involvement of CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and monocytes and interferon responses. They will use adoptive transfer and depletion experiments to see if changing these immune cells alters liver injury. The aim is to clarify the mechanisms so future therapies can protect the liver during severe flu.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to prevent or lessen liver injury in patients with severe influenza and ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked immune cell activity and interferon signaling to liver injury in severe infections, but the exact mechanisms in influenza-associated ARDS are still being defined.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, David G — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Thomas, David G
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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.