Mitochondrial stress and chronic scarring after lung transplant (CLAD)
Mitochondrial integrated stress response and lung allograft dysfunction
This work aims to reduce damaging mitochondrial-driven stress in lung cells to prevent or slow chronic scarring after lung transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11193922 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on why many lung transplant patients develop chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), a progressive scarring of the small airways. Researchers will study lung epithelial cells—especially transitional cells that show features of both AT2 and AT1 cells—and how problems in mitochondria trigger the integrated stress response (ISR). They will combine analysis of patient tissue samples, single-cell RNA sequencing, animal models of lung injury, and testing of an ISR-blocking drug that rescued lung repair in mice. The goal is to connect findings from lab models and human samples to guide treatments that could be tested in future clinical trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults who have received a lung transplant or are at high risk for chronic lung allograft dysfunction, including those undergoing routine post-transplant biopsies or follow-up care.
Not a fit: People without a lung transplant, those with unrelated lung conditions, or patients with very advanced, irreversible scarring are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that prevent or slow CLAD and improve long-term survival after lung transplant.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies in mice and cell models have shown that blocking the integrated stress response can improve lung repair, but translating this approach to transplant patients is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Seunghye — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Han, Seunghye
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.