Understanding how lung immune cells affect COVID-19 lung damage
Official title: Novel animal models to dissect how lung macrophages contribute to SARS-CoV2 alveolar pathology and respiratory failure
Funded at Cornell University · NIH-10979157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain immune cells might be hurting the lungs of people with severe COVID-19, and it's for anyone interested in understanding more about the virus and finding better ways to help patients breathe easier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $138,267 |
| NIH project number | 5K01OD031968-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10979157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced severe respiratory issues or lung damage due to COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been infected with SARS-CoV2 or who do not exhibit respiratory complications from COVID-19 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of macrophages, a type of immune cell, in causing lung damage related to COVID-19. By using both human and mouse models, the researchers aim to develop new mouse models that can help identify how SARS-CoV2 affects lung cells. The study involves collaboration among experts in various fields, including lung biology and virology, to gain insights into the mechanisms of respiratory failure caused by the virus. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment options for patients suffering from severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for lung damage caused by COVID-19.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to viral infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Cornell University
Ithaca, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gludish, David W — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Gludish, David W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using a simple breathing test to check lung function after kids’ acute respiratory failure
A study will test a child-friendly breathing method (oscillometry) to check how well lungs work after severe respiratory illness in kids.
-
Financial hardship in acute respiratory failure patients and their family caregivers
This grant studies how money worries affect patients with acute respiratory failure and their family caregivers, aiming to improve outcomes for both sides.
-
Imaging how belly fat affects lung collapse in severe breathing failure
A hospital-based study will use CT scans and AI tools to understand how truncal fat distribution changes lung collapse and treatment response in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
-
Understanding how to apply sepsis care guidelines in ICU patients with respiratory failure
A patient-friendly look at how hospitals can best use sepsis care bundles to save lives for people with breathing problems in the ICU.
-
Kindergarten readiness after early brain injury and ICU sedation
This study follows preschool-age children who had critical illness as babies or toddlers to see how early ICU sedation may relate to later school-readiness using kindergarten readiness scores.
-
Understanding which patients and hospital care pathways affect outcomes after ICU vs ward care for ARF and sepsis
A big study using hospital records to figure out which patients with acute respiratory failure and sepsis do best when admitted to ICUs versus general wards.
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.