Regulatory T cells helping lungs recover after severe viral pneumonia
Official title: Mechanisms of regulatory T cell-mediated recovery from severe viral pneumonia
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11395280 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores how a special type of immune cell, regulatory T cells, helps the lungs heal after severe pneumonia from flu or COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $779,424 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL149883-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395280 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe viral pneumonia and ARDS, or those who have had such pneumonia, may be eligible for future cellular-therapy trials related to Treg cells.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without severe pneumonia or ARDS, or those not eligible for cellular-therapy research, may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
If severe viral pneumonia damages the lungs and leads to ARDS, this project looks at how regulatory T cells contribute to repairing lung tissue and speeding recovery. Researchers will examine the biology of these cells in patients and compare it to what has been seen in mice, focusing on how DNA methylation and metabolism influence their function. They plan to explore barriers to using Treg cells as a cellular therapy and how to overcome them to improve outcomes for patients with pneumonia-related lung injury. The goal is to identify strategies that could shorten ICU stays and reduce complications from ARDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new cellular therapies that help patients recover faster from severe viral pneumonia and ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data in mice support the idea that Treg cells help repair lung injury, and some patient data suggest similar patterns in severe pneumonia.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singer, Benjamin David — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Singer, Benjamin David
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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.