Understanding how certain immune cells help heal lung blood vessels after injury
Official title: Perivascular macrophages - a new player in regulating endothelial repair following lung vascular injury
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11293386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the lungs help repair blood vessels after a serious lung injury called Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and it aims to find new ways to improve recovery for patients with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $432,891 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169447-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or those experiencing severe acute lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic lung conditions or those not experiencing acute lung injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of perivascular macrophages (PVMs) in the healing process of lung blood vessels following acute lung injury, specifically Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). By using advanced imaging techniques, the study will observe how these immune cells interact with endothelial cells in live mouse models. The researchers will manipulate the presence of PVMs to understand their impact on blood vessel repair and regeneration. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing lung recovery in patients suffering from ARDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients with ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of macrophages in lung repair is being explored, this specific focus on perivascular macrophages in ARDS is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Bisheng — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Bisheng
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.