Integrated mechanisms of primary and chronic graft dysfunction after lung transplantation
Official title: Integrated mechanisms of primary and chronic graft dysfunction following lung transplantation
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11394632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant supports research aimed at understanding why some lung transplant patients experience early and long-term graft problems, with the goal of improving survival and quality of life for people who receive a lung transplant.
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 start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,747,882 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL169188-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have undergone lung transplantation or who may need one in the future, especially those with or at risk for graft dysfunction or acid reflux-related complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without graft dysfunction or related risk factors may see indirect benefits through improved guidelines or general knowledge, but they are less likely to directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has a lung transplant, this program studies how the body’s immune system and lung tissues interact to cause graft problems. It includes four projects that look at lung-specific antibodies, acid reflux impact on the lung, immune cells driving scarring, and how cellular stress in lung tissue may trigger harmful changes. The team will use patient samples and animal models to uncover molecular pathways that lead to primary graft dysfunction and chronic lung allograft dysfunction, with an eye toward new treatments and diagnostic markers. The work is led by Ankit Bharat at Northwestern University and spans 2024–2029, funded through a large NIH program grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better prevention and treatment of graft dysfunction, improving survival and long-term quality of life after lung transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has identified lung-restricted alloantibodies and factors like acid aspiration as contributors to graft problems, with ongoing advances in understanding immune-tissue interactions.
Where this research is happening
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Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bharat, Ankit — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Bharat, Ankit
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Body composition and outcomes after lung transplant
A patient-focused look at how body fat and muscle measurements around the time of lung transplant relate to recovery, complications, and quality of life after surgery.
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Objective lung-donor quality tools to expand the transplant pool
A lung-transplant-focused project aims to use gene-based risk tools to better judge donor organs and prevent recipient lung dysfunction.
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Bmp-Cx40 signaling to keep lung blood vessels calm after transplant
A study aims to keep blood vessels in transplanted lungs stable by boosting a specific signaling pathway to reduce injury after transplant.
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Complement inhibition to protect transplanted lungs from early injury
A small early trial tests whether a drug that blocks a key part of the immune system can prevent damage to new lungs right after transplant.
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Phase 1 trial of siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
A early-stage study tests whether siltuximab can help people who have antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation.
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Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
A study at Northwestern University will test a new, targeted approach to prevent lung transplant rejection by delivering immune-suppressing drugs directly to the graft while blocking early signals that trigger rejection.
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.