Understanding how blood vessel signals affect post-flu and post-coronavirus lung scarring
Official title: Loss of Endothelial S1PR1 Drives Post-Influenza Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11364083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant looks at how a specific blood vessel signal (S1PR1) in the lungs might prevent scarring after severe viral lung infections like flu or COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $679,042 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168138-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have had severe viral pneumonia leading to ARDS and are at risk for or have developed lung fibrosis may be relevant for future studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without a history of severe viral ARDS or lung fibrosis may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The project focuses on how endothelial cells in the lungs respond during and after severe viral ARDS and how this response may lead to fibrosis. Researchers will study the S1P-S1PR1 signaling pathway to see if it governs vascular leak and tissue repair that could become scar tissue. They will use models that mimic viral ARDS to observe interactions between lung blood vessels and fibroblasts, and test whether modulating this pathway can reduce fibrosis. The goal is to identify possible therapies that could prevent long-term breathing problems after severe viral pneumonia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could pave the way for therapies that reduce lung scarring and improve long-term breathing after severe viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports that targeting endothelial signaling can influence lung repair, but applying this to post-viral fibrosis is a developing area.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knipe, Rachel S — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Knipe, Rachel S
Related research
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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.