Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
Official title: Targeted delivery of immunosuppressive agents to the graft endothelium forthe prevention of rejection in lung transplantation
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11401866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Northwestern University will test a new, targeted approach to prevent lung transplant rejection by delivering immune-suppressing drugs directly to the graft while blocking early signals that trigger rejection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,685 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI170075-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11401866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing lung transplantation who may benefit from more precise immunosuppressive strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for transplant or those not considered for targeted graft-directed therapies.
What this research studies
This project focuses on improving lung transplant outcomes by using nanoagents that both deliver immunosuppressive drugs and block adhesion molecules that prime the graft for rejection. Researchers will explore how these targeted agents interact with the lung’s immune environment, especially after brain-dead donor injury and ischemia-reperfusion. The goal is to reduce rejection without increasing systemic immunosuppression, potentially improving long-term lung function for recipients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better lung transplant survival and fewer side effects from broad immunosuppression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows promise for targeted graft-directed approaches, but this is a novel combination of CAM blockade with immunosuppressive delivery.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atkinson, Carl — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Atkinson, Carl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Phase 1 trial of siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
A early-stage study tests whether siltuximab can help people who have antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation.
-
Siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
This trial gives siltuximab to people with antibody-mediated rejection after a lung transplant to try to control the immune response harming the new lung.
-
Role of plasma cells in chronic rejection after lung transplantation
This research looks at how certain immune cells called plasma cells may drive chronic rejection in people who have had lung transplants and how this could lead to new ways to protect the transplant.
-
Non-invasive infection detection after lung transplant
A non-invasive blood test using phage-based signals could help doctors detect lung infections early in people who have had a lung transplant.
-
Investigating the role of plasma cells in lung transplant rejection
This study is looking at how certain immune cells, called plasma cells, might play a role in lung transplant rejection, especially for patients dealing with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve the success of lung transplants.
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Sending anti-rejection medicine directly to blood vessels in transplanted lungs
This project tests tiny drug carriers that deliver anti-rejection medicine straight to the blood vessels of transplanted lungs to help people who receive lung transplants.
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.