Lung signals that control alveolar macrophages in health and pneumonia
Linking steady-state cytokine signaling to alveolar macrophage function in homeostasis and lung infection
This project looks at how lung signals change immune cells called alveolar macrophages to help people with bacterial pneumonia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158729 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will focus on alveolar macrophages, the immune cells that process lung surfactant and help clear infections. They will study how steady cytokine signals and the proteins CISH and GATA2 control these cells' lipid handling and their switch from anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory behavior. Using laboratory experiments in cells and animal models, the team will map the signaling pathways and test how altering CISH or GATA2 changes responses to bacteria. The goal is to identify points that could be targeted to help macrophages fight bacterial pneumonia without damaging lung tissue.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with bacterial lung infections or pneumonia, or volunteers willing to provide lung samples for research, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without lung infections or whose illness is driven primarily by viruses or chronic lung disease are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that help lung immune cells clear bacterial pneumonia more effectively and reduce complications.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies support roles for CISH and related signaling in macrophage behavior, but moving from these findings to patient therapies remains early and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gottschalk, Rachel a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Gottschalk, Rachel a
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 below.