Understanding how CD4 T cells fuel schistosomiasis-related lung disease
Official title: Activation, Phenotype and Function of CD4 T Cells in Schistosoma-Pulmonary Hypertension
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11606580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores how specific immune cells and inflammatory signals in schistosomiasis may contribute to pulmonary hypertension in people affected by the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2016 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $43,140 |
| NIH project number | 3R01HL135872-10S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11606580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with schistosomiasis who are at risk for or have pulmonary hypertension, or who provide biospecimens for translational analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without schistosomiasis or PAH may not directly benefit from this study.
What this research studies
Researchers investigate how adaptive and innate immune responses interact in Schistosoma-associated pulmonary hypertension using a mouse model and analysis of human biospecimens. They focus on how CD4 T cells become activated in the lungs, how these cells recruit inflammatory monocytes, and how thrombospondin-1 and TGF-β contribute to vascular remodeling. The study also includes translational work to identify proteins in human samples that relate to PAH in people with severe schistosomiasis. By combining animal experiments with human data, the project aims to map immune pathways that could become targets for therapy. This work could illuminate new ways to prevent or treat lung vascular disease in a population where schistosomiasis is common.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new targets or biomarkers for preventing or treating schistosomiasis-related pulmonary hypertension.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked CD4 T cell activation and monocyte recruitment to PAH in animal models, with translational analysis showing potential human relevance.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Brian Barkley — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Graham, Brian Barkley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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CD4 T Cells, Schistosoma, and Pulmonary Hypertension: Understanding How Immune Cells Drive Disease
A human-health focused study uses a mouse model and human samples to explore how immune cells and inflammation may contribute to a lung blood vessel disease linked to schistosomiasis.
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CD4 T Cells and Schistosoma-Related Pulmonary Hypertension
A study to understand how specific immune cells behave in a lung complication caused by schistosomiasis, with the goal of finding targets to prevent or treat it.
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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.