Role of BHLHE40 in CD8 T Cells and Lung Sarcoidosis
Official title: The Role of BHLHE40 in Orchestrating Mucosal CD8 T Cell Responses in the Sarcoidosis Lung
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11296236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand how a specific immune cell type (CD8 T cells) controls lung inflammation and scarring in sarcoidosis patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $808,290 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL179285-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with sarcoidosis, especially those with lung involvement or a risk of fibrosis, may be relevant for future studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sarcoidosis not related to lung involvement or who are not eligible for future translational work may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies how a key gene, BHLHE40, shapes CD8 T cell behavior in the lungs of people with sarcoidosis, a disease that can lead to breathing problems and fibrosis. Researchers use mouse models that mimic human disease to explore how these cells promote or prevent lung damage, and they look for a human counterpart to guide future therapies. The work combines lab studies and analysis of human tissue to connect cellular actions with lung outcomes. The goal is to reveal targets that could limit fibrosis and improve lung function in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to new treatments that reduce lung scarring and improve breathing for people with sarcoidosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests CD8 T cells influence fibrosis in sarcoidosis-like disease, supporting the translational potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Celada, Lindsay Johana — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Celada, Lindsay Johana
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Integrative metabolomics to improve sarcoidosis diagnosis and prognosis
A research project from UCLA aims to find blood-based biomarkers that help diagnose sarcoidosis earlier and predict how it will progress, especially in African American women.
-
Predicting Lung Health in Sarcoidosis with Vitamin D Metabolism
Aging individuals with sarcoidosis, especially Black/African American women, may benefit from a clearer plan that uses vitamin D biology to predict and improve lung health.
-
Understanding how inflammation and scarring develop in pulmonary sarcoidosis
A doctor-scientist is studying why some people with sarcoidosis develop dangerous lung scarring and how to prevent it.
-
Peptide-based Diagnostic Test for Sarcoidosis
A new test using peptide-based ELISA is being developed to diagnose sarcoidosis, potentially reducing the need for invasive lung biopsies.
-
Molecular markers of progressive pulmonary sarcoidosis
This grant looks at proteins and genes in people with sarcoidosis to find early signs that the disease will worsen from the lungs.
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Advanced imaging to monitor immune-suppressant therapy in active cardiac sarcoidosis
A patient-focused imaging study to see how MRI and PET 18F-FDG can track how well immune-suppressant treatment is working for active cardiac sarcoidosis.
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.