Investigating how lung immune cells protect against lung injury from oxygen in premature infants
Official title: Role of neonatal lung macrophages in mediating resilience to hyperoxia induced lung injury via TREM2 signaling
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11047565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the lungs of premature babies can help protect them from lung damage caused by too much oxygen, with the goal of figuring out why some babies get bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) while others don’t, so we can find better ways to prevent and treat this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $778,292 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170183-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are premature infants born with a birth weight less than 1500g who are at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not premature or do not have a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease that affects many premature infants. The study aims to identify specific lung immune cells and their gene expression programs that help protect against lung injury caused by high levels of oxygen. By examining the interactions between these immune cells and the environment, the research seeks to uncover why some infants develop BPD while others do not. The findings could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for BPD and its long-term effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and personalized treatment options for infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of immune responses in lung injury, but this specific approach to studying neonatal lung macrophages and TREM2 signaling is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sajti, Eniko — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Sajti, Eniko
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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.