Understanding how immune cells help the lungs heal after viral infections
Official title: Macrophage-Mediated Lung Repair Programs Following Injury
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11015781 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of immune cell in the lungs helps heal lung tissue after a viral infection, like the flu, by working together with the cells that line the airways, and it's being tested in mice to better understand this healing process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $36,073 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL172650-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015781 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced viral respiratory infections and may be at risk for lung damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic lung diseases unrelated to viral infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of alveolar macrophages, a type of immune cell, in the repair of lung tissue following viral infections. It focuses on how these macrophages communicate with epithelial cells, which line the airways, to facilitate recovery after damage. By using a mouse model infected with a strain of influenza A, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind lung repair and the interactions between immune cells and epithelial cells during the healing process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that enhance lung repair mechanisms after viral infections, potentially improving recovery outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that immune cells play a crucial role in tissue repair, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into lung recovery mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baez Vazquez, Alan — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Baez Vazquez, Alan
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.