Understanding how trauma affects lung injury and infection risk
Netosis in Trauma Mediated Acute Lung Injury
This study is looking at how serious injuries can affect the lungs and lead to infections like pneumonia, using mice to understand how the body’s immune system responds, with the hope of finding better ways to prevent these infections in people who have been hurt.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136621 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of traumatic injuries on the lungs and how they can lead to serious infections like pneumonia. By studying a mouse model that mimics the conditions of critically injured patients, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms behind acute lung injury and the body's immune response. They focus on a process called NETosis, where immune cells release DNA to trap and kill bacteria, and how this process can sometimes cause harm to the lungs instead of helping. The ultimate goal is to identify new treatment targets to prevent infections in trauma patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are critically injured trauma patients who are at risk of developing acute lung injury or pneumonia.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced trauma or those with pre-existing lung conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that reduce the risk of lung injuries and infections in critically injured patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in trauma, but this specific approach to studying NETosis in lung injury is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leonard, Jennifer — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Leonard, Jennifer
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 below.