Understanding lung injury in transplant patients
Official title: Immunogenomic analysis of donor lung injury and its impact on clinical outcomes after lung transplantation
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-10877722 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how hidden damage in donor lungs might cause problems after a lung transplant, and it aims to find early warning signs using special markers in the blood, which could help doctors take better care of patients getting new lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $721,966 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL160551-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877722 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 lung transplantation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lung transplantation or those with pre-existing severe lung conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how unnoticed damage in donor lungs can lead to severe complications after lung transplantation. By analyzing biological markers, particularly donor-derived cell-free DNA, the study aims to identify early signs of lung injury that could predict poor outcomes for transplant recipients. The approach includes examining samples from lung transplant patients to understand the mechanisms behind inflammation and injury. This could lead to better monitoring and treatment strategies for patients undergoing lung transplantation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve the survival rates and quality of life for lung transplant recipients by enabling earlier detection and intervention for lung injury.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using cell-free DNA as a biomarker for lung injury, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in understanding transplant complications.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaver, Ciara M — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shaver, Ciara M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Body composition and outcomes after lung transplant
A patient-focused look at how body fat and muscle measurements around the time of lung transplant relate to recovery, complications, and quality of life after surgery.
-
Objective lung-donor quality tools to expand the transplant pool
A lung-transplant-focused project aims to use gene-based risk tools to better judge donor organs and prevent recipient lung dysfunction.
-
Bmp-Cx40 signaling to keep lung blood vessels calm after transplant
A study aims to keep blood vessels in transplanted lungs stable by boosting a specific signaling pathway to reduce injury after transplant.
-
Complement inhibition to protect transplanted lungs from early injury
A small early trial tests whether a drug that blocks a key part of the immune system can prevent damage to new lungs right after transplant.
-
Phase 1 trial of siltuximab for antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplant
A early-stage study tests whether siltuximab can help people who have antibody-mediated rejection after lung transplantation.
-
Targeted delivery of immune-suppressing agents to the lung graft to prevent rejection
A study at Northwestern University will test a new, targeted approach to prevent lung transplant rejection by delivering immune-suppressing drugs directly to the graft while blocking early signals that trigger rejection.
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.