Neutrophil responses in pneumococcal pneumonia and acute lung injury

Migration and resolution, lung microenvironment and mechanisms: examining the diverse responses of neutrophils during S. pneumoniae pneumonia and acute lung injury

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11330656

Researchers will track how neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) change and where they go during pneumococcal pneumonia and acute lung injury to find ways to protect lungs and help recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-11330656 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project follows neutrophils — the immune cells that flood infected lungs — during Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia and acute lung injury. The team will measure changes in neutrophil gene activity, surface markers, and cytokine profiles and map their locations within lung airspaces and tissue microenvironments. They will compare timing and spatial patterns to see when neutrophils help clear infection and repair tissue versus when they worsen lung injury. Results come from laboratory analyses of infected lung tissue and immune cells and aim to point toward new treatment targets.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People who have or recently had pneumococcal (Streptococcus pneumoniae) pneumonia or acute lung injury/ARDS would be the most relevant candidates for related studies or sample donation.

Not a fit: People without bacterial pneumonia or whose lung problems are caused by non-infectious conditions may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify targets to reduce lung damage and speed recovery from pneumococcal pneumonia and ARDS.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown neutrophils are diverse and can harm or help the lung, but translating those findings to new treatments remains limited, making this spatial and transcriptomic approach relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acute Lung InjuryAcute Pulmonary InjuryAcute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAdult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.