Understanding B cell and antibody responses in lung transplantation
Official title: Project 3: Evolution, dynamics and durability of B cell and antibody responses in lung transplantation
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11075887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called B cells work in the lungs of people who have had a lung transplant, especially how they respond to infections like COVID-19 and the flu, to find ways to better protect these patients and improve their immune health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 16, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $434,362 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI181105-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include lung transplant recipients and individuals with pulmonary diseases that may involve autoimmune components.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have lung transplants or related pulmonary conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how B cells, which are crucial for immune responses, behave in the lungs of lung transplant patients. It focuses on a specific type of B cell that remains in the lung and responds to infections like COVID-19 and influenza. By studying these cells, the research aims to uncover how they are formed, what triggers their activation, and how they can help protect against infections and autoimmune responses. This could lead to better strategies for managing lung transplant patients and improving their immune responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the understanding of immune responses in lung transplant patients, potentially leading to improved treatments and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in similar contexts, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Randall, Troy D — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Randall, Troy D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Body composition and outcomes after lung transplant
A patient-focused look at how body fat and muscle measurements around the time of lung transplant relate to recovery, complications, and quality of life after surgery.
-
Objective lung-donor quality tools to expand the transplant pool
A lung-transplant-focused project aims to use gene-based risk tools to better judge donor organs and prevent recipient lung dysfunction.
-
Bmp-Cx40 signaling to keep lung blood vessels calm after transplant
A study aims to keep blood vessels in transplanted lungs stable by boosting a specific signaling pathway to reduce injury after transplant.
-
Complement inhibition to protect transplanted lungs from early injury
A small early trial tests whether a drug that blocks a key part of the immune system can prevent damage to new lungs right after transplant.
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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.
-
Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
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.
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.