Understanding how reflux harms lung transplants and what to do about it
Official title: Physiologic and molecular mechanisms linking gastroesophageal reflux with chronic lung allograft dysfunction
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11394640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how stomach contents leaking into the lungs affects transplant health and how to stop or slow this damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $431,146 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL169188-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Lung transplant recipients and individuals with chronic lung disease who may be at risk for reflux-related lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
People without lung disease or lung transplant will not be directly helped by this study.
What this research studies
If you have a lung transplant or are living with chronic lung disease, this project looks at why stomach contents may reach the lungs and how that injury happens at the molecular level. The team will examine lung tissue and immune factors to understand how reflux-related microaspiration worsens early transplant injury and long-term graft dysfunction. The goal is to identify targets for therapy, including strategies beyond current acid-reducing medications, to protect the transplanted lung. This research could lead to better risk stratification and personalized treatments for people after lung transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to treatments that reduce lung graft injury and improve long-term transplant success.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows a plausible link between reflux and lung injury, but causal mechanisms and effective therapies remain to be proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perlman, Harris R — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Perlman, Harris R
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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.