Lymphatic changes after lung transplant and risk of bronchiolitis obliterans
Lymphatic Dysfunction and Development of Post-Transplant Obliterative Bronchiolitis
Researchers are looking at how damage or repair of the lung's lymphatic vessels after transplant affects the chance of developing bronchiolitis obliterans in people who receive lung transplants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251739 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses mouse models that mimic human lung transplants to see whether losing lymphatic vessels in the graft causes inflammation and scarring of the small airways that leads to bronchiolitis obliterans. The team will track donor versus recipient lymphatic endothelial cells, test genetic approaches that boost lymphatic growth, and study signaling through the LTbR/LTa1b2 pathway. They will also test whether transferring specific Foxp3+ regulatory T cells that express lymphotoxin can protect the transplanted lung. The work aims to map the immune and lymphatic interactions that could be targeted to prevent chronic transplant injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have had a lung transplant or are planning one, particularly those at risk for or showing early signs of bronchiolitis obliterans.
Not a fit: People without lung transplants or with non-transplant lung conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this project in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to protect or restore lymphatic function and lower the risk of bronchiolitis obliterans after lung transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies from this group show that loss of lymphatics promotes BOS while boosting lymphangiogenesis or transferring LTb-expressing regulatory T cells can protect, but these strategies remain largely untested in human patients.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hancock, Wayne William — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Hancock, Wayne William
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.