Mapping lung memory T cells that fight respiratory infections
Single-cell atlas of lung tissue-resident memory T cells reactive to upper and lower respiratory tract pathogens
This project will map immune memory cells in the lungs that recognize common respiratory germs using tissue and blood from people having lung surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11095843 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will collect lung tissue, fluid from the airways, and blood from people undergoing lung surgery and use single-cell techniques to read each immune cell's gene activity, open DNA regions, and T cell receptor sequences. They will also stimulate blood cells with pieces of common respiratory viruses, bacteria, and fungi to match which T cell receptors respond to which germs. About 100 participants are planned, and a subgroup may be followed over time to see how these lung memory cells persist or change. The team aims to build a detailed, searchable map showing pathogen-specific lung tissue-resident memory T cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults scheduled for lung resection (surgery) who are willing to donate lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and blood for research.
Not a fit: People who are not undergoing lung surgery or who cannot safely provide lung tissue or airway samples would not be able to participate and are unlikely to gain direct benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help design better vaccines and immune therapies by revealing which lung T cells protect against different respiratory infections.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell and T cell receptor mapping has characterized lung tissue-resident memory T cells in some infections, but creating a broad, experimentally validated atlas across many respiratory pathogens is a newer and more comprehensive effort.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- La Jolla Institute for Immunology — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan
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.