Lung-specific antibodies causing injury after lung transplant
Pathogenesis of lung injury mediated by lung-restricted antibodies
Looking at whether antibodies that attack lung proteins and certain donor immune cells cause early, serious lung injury after transplant and if blocking them can protect transplant recipients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11377289 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are getting a lung transplant, researchers will collect blood and lung samples from donors and recipients to look for antibodies that target lung proteins. They will measure immune signals such as complement activation and neutrophil recruitment and track donor and recipient immune cells that move into the new lung. Laboratory and animal experiments will test how these antibodies and cells cause damage and whether stopping their actions reduces injury. The team combines patient sample data with lab findings to identify targets for treatments to prevent primary graft dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults listed for or undergoing lung transplantation, especially those with chronic lung disease or ARDS, who can provide blood or lung samples and agree to follow-up.
Not a fit: People not undergoing lung transplant, children, or those unwilling to provide samples or visit the study center are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new tests or treatments to prevent early transplant lung failure, improving short-term survival and long-term transplant outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior clinical work has linked lung-restricted autoantibodies to worse early graft function, but treatments to block these effects remain mostly experimental.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bharat, Ankit — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Bharat, Ankit
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.