Understanding how immune cells affect lung transplant rejection and dysfunction
Official title: Loss of resident donor-derived Tregs and the emergence of monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages leads to acute rejection and chronic dysfunction in lung transplant recipients
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10994449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the lungs might affect the health of lung transplant patients over time, with the goal of finding ways to help them avoid problems and improve their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | September 1, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $52,897 |
| NIH project number | 1F30HL175886-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have undergone lung transplantation and are at risk for developing chronic lung allograft dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received a lung transplant or those who are not at risk for CLAD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific immune cells, particularly monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages, in the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) in lung transplant recipients. By analyzing clinical and molecular biomarkers, the study aims to identify pathways that could be targeted for intervention to improve patient outcomes. The approach includes leveraging machine learning to analyze longitudinal data collected from patients before the onset of CLAD, which may provide insights into the progression of the condition. This research seeks to enhance our understanding of how immune responses contribute to lung transplant success and failure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating chronic dysfunction in lung transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune cell roles in transplant rejection, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Luo, Lucy — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Luo, Lucy
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Immuno-Metabolic Drivers of Chronic Rejection after Lung Transplant
A doctor-researcher is studying why some lung transplant patients develop chronic rejection and what metabolic and immune signals cause this, with the goal of making BOS preventable or treatable.
-
Detecting early lung transplant rejection with advanced imaging
This project uses a special imaging technique to find early signs of lung rejection in people who have had a lung transplant.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
-
Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
-
Understanding why a lung transplant sometimes fails early and how to tailor treatment
A study of people receiving lung transplants to find molecular differences that cause early graft failure and point to better, personalized therapies.
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.