Single-cell view of lung macrophage roles in TB lesions
Official title: Single-cell spatial-temporal understanding of the role of macrophage subsets in maintenance of lesion biology and local Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection outcome.
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11549671 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly look at how different lung macrophages influence tuberculosis outcomes and lesion growth at the infection site.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $210,887 |
| NIH project number | 7R21AI188044-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11549671 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for or affected by TB who could benefit from future lesion-targeted therapies or diagnostics.
✕Less likely to help
People not affected by TB or those without access to future lesion-focused treatments may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant uses advanced single-cell methods to map how two macrophage types in the lung affect the growth and structure of TB lesions over time. It aims to connect cellular behavior with the real-world progression of tuberculosis in a living organism, bridging gaps between early mouse studies and human disease. The researchers will study macrophage metabolism and local environments inside necrotic lesions to understand how Mtb persists or is controlled. The goal is to uncover mechanisms that could lead to better treatments that target the lesion microenvironment. This work could ultimately help patients by informing therapies that improve lesion containment of TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide new approaches to limit Mtb growth within lung lesions and support the development of therapies targeting the lesion environment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in mice suggests macrophage types influence TB outcomes, but translating this to human disease remains a key area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huang, Lu — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Huang, Lu
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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.