Understanding how gut health affects lung immunity

Epithelial Contributions to Lung Immunity

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10995084

This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut can affect your lung health and immune system, especially for people dealing with conditions like asthma or pneumonia, to find ways to help your body fight off respiratory infections better.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10995084 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of T-helper (Th)-17 lymphocytes in regulating immune responses in the lungs, particularly how changes in the gut microbiome can influence lung health. It aims to explore the connections between gut health and lung immunity, especially in the context of infections and autoimmune diseases. By examining how factors like diet and antibiotic use affect the gut microbiome, the study seeks to uncover mechanisms that could improve host defense against respiratory infections. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to better management of conditions like asthma and pneumonia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with respiratory conditions such as asthma or those who have experienced recurrent lung infections.

Not a fit: Patients with stable lung conditions and no history of gut-related issues may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for respiratory infections and autoimmune diseases by enhancing our understanding of gut-lung interactions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-lung axis, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome VirusAirway infections
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.