Lung interstitial macrophages and bacterial pneumonia
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11368509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project investigates how certain lung immune cells help protect adults and children from pneumonia after a prior infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,605,354 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL181432-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11368509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with a history of pneumonia or elevated risk for airway infections who could benefit from future translation of findings into therapies or preventive measures.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage animal-focused research may not directly benefit current patients until later translational steps are completed.
What this research studies
Researchers will study lung interstitial macrophages and how they respond to pneumococcal pneumonia in both naïve and previously infected mice, with the goal of understanding how recovery changes immune protection. They will test what happens when specific macrophage groups are removed to see how innate and adaptive defenses work together to fight bacteria. The work aims to map how recovered lungs defend themselves and whether certain macrophages become more capable of clearing bacteria. Findings could point to new strategies to boost lung defenses after pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: A better understanding of lung immunity after pneumonia could guide new approaches to prevent re-infection and improve treatments for patients recovering from respiratory infections.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that macrophage subsets participate differently in antibacterial defense, supporting the potential for meaningful advances.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mizgerd, Joseph P — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Mizgerd, Joseph P
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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.