Single-cell map of lung tissue memory T cells that react to respiratory infections
Official title: Single-cell atlas of lung tissue-resident memory T cells reactive to upper and lower respiratory tract pathogens
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11398860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team will study human lung memory T cells to build a detailed map of their genes, epigenetic marks, and TCRs in response to common respiratory pathogens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2015 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $328,278 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI118626-12 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing surgical resection for suspected early-stage lung cancer ( donor tissue) and matched healthy donors for PBMC stimulation.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not donating lung tissue or PBMCs may not directly benefit from this atlas creation.
What this research studies
This project analyzes how lung tissue-resident memory T cells respond to a range of respiratory pathogens by using single-cell RNA-Seq, ATAC-Seq, and TCR sequencing on samples from living donors. The goal is to create a comprehensive atlas showing the transcriptional and epigenetic landscape and the TCRs linked to different pathogens. Researchers will use patient-derived lung tissue and BAL samples to identify pathogen-specific T cell signatures and TCRs, then validate them with stimulated blood samples from matched donors. The work could illuminate how durable T cell memory develops in the lungs and how it might be leveraged for vaccines or therapies. The study includes longitudinal assessment to understand persistence and flexibility of these immune cells over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the atlas could guide the design of vaccines and treatments that better protect the lungs against infections.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary single-cell atlases in other tissues have shown that such maps can inform vaccine and immunotherapy strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Vijayanand, Pandurangan
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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.