Understanding immune responses to cytomegalovirus after liver transplants
Official title: Immune signatures of CMV disease risk after orthotopic liver transplant
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11098250 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system reacts to a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) in people who get liver transplants from donors who have the virus, to help find ways to predict and prevent related health issues after the transplant.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | May 9, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $832,910 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI189491-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11098250 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have recently undergone orthotopic liver transplantation from CMV-infected donors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not received a liver transplant or those who are not at risk for CMV infection may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the immune system responds to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in patients who receive liver transplants from CMV-infected donors. It focuses on identifying immune factors that can predict the risk of developing CMV-related diseases, such as pneumonia or retinitis, after transplantation. By analyzing blood samples from transplant recipients, the study aims to find markers that indicate a patient's risk level for CMV disease, which could help tailor preventive treatments. The approach includes monitoring immune cell responses and antibody levels in patients over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing CMV disease in liver transplant recipients, enhancing their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses to CMV in transplant patients, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ford, Emily — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Ford, Emily
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Innate and Adaptive Immunoregulation in Liver Transplant Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
A liver transplant-focused project investigates how the body’s early and later immune responses affect transplant failure or success after reperfusion.
-
Biomarker-guided reduction of immunosuppression after liver transplant
A multicenter trial tests whether using blood biomarkers to guide tapering of immunosuppression in adults with liver transplants can keep people healthy while lowering drug exposure.
-
Understanding how liver disease progresses in people waiting for a liver transplant
A study will build a knowledge base that maps how liver disease worsens over time in patients on the transplant waitlist to improve care and planning.
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Biomarkers to tailor liver transplant immunosuppression
A multi-center study using blood biomarkers to guide how immunosuppressive drugs are given to liver transplant patients.
-
Pre-Transplant Immune Health Marker Panel to Predict Liver Transplant Outcomes
A patient-facing biomarker test used before liver transplant to help doctors estimate the risk of early death after the transplant.
-
Thinking skills and self-care after a liver transplant
This project follows people who received liver transplants to learn how changes in thinking and memory affect managing medicines, clinic visits, and overall health.
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.