Reducing lung scarring after viral infections in older adults by targeting CD38 and T cells
CD38, T cells and post viral lung sequelae during aging
This project is seeing if lowering CD38 activity in certain lung T cells can cut chronic inflammation and scarring in older adults after viral pneumonia like COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247544 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's view, researchers are focusing on immune cells (CD8 tissue-resident memory T cells) that stick around in the lungs after viral pneumonia and may drive ongoing inflammation and scarring as people age. They will study how the enzyme CD38 helps these T cells form and persist, using lab models and comparisons with human lung or blood samples to connect findings to people. The team will test approaches that reduce CD38 activity to see if that prevents excessive T cell buildup and lessens age-related lung fibrosis. If successful, the work could point toward targeted immune treatments to help older patients with long-term lung problems after viral infections.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults who developed persistent lung symptoms or evidence of lung scarring following viral pneumonia such as COVID-19 or influenza.
Not a fit: People without post-viral lung problems, those with non-viral causes of lung disease, or those with only acute infection and no chronic symptoms are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-targeted treatments that reduce chronic lung inflammation and scarring in older adults after viral pneumonia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows CD38 helps form memory T cells and CD38-targeting drugs exist for other diseases, but applying CD38 targeting to prevent post-viral lung fibrosis in older adults is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sun, Jie — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Sun, Jie
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.