Investigating rare airway cells' role in lung inflammation after viral infections
Official title: Rare Airway Cell Function in Post-Viral Chronic Inflammation
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11102687 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at special cells in the lungs called M cells to see how they work after viral infections like COVID-19, which could help us understand how the lungs heal and find new ways to treat lung issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career 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 | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $75,600 |
| NIH project number | 3K99HL169897-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11102687 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe respiratory viral infections and are suffering from chronic lung conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute respiratory infections that do not lead to chronic lung issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how rare airway cells, specifically Microfold (M) cells, function in the lungs after viral infections like COVID-19. By using advanced techniques such as single nucleus expression and accessible chromatin sequencing, the study aims to identify the progenitors of these M cells and the mechanisms that lead to their differentiation. This could provide insights into how the lungs repair themselves after injury and the role these cells play in chronic inflammation. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of lung recovery processes and potential new therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for chronic lung diseases resulting from viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of M cells in the lung is relatively novel, similar research in other contexts has shown promising results in understanding immune responses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barr, Justinn — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Barr, Justinn
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.