Understanding Lung Scarring After Viral Infections
Official title: Loss of Endothelial S1PR1 Drives Post-Influenza Pulmonary Fibrosis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11111161 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how changes in a specific cell signal in the lungs might lead to scarring after severe viral infections like flu or coronavirus, aiming to find new ways to prevent this damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $737,205 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168138-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111161 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have experienced severe lung infections, such as from influenza or coronaviruses, and are at risk for or have developed pulmonary fibrosis might eventually benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose lung conditions are not related to post-viral pulmonary fibrosis or the specific cellular pathways being studied may not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
Severe lung infections, like those from influenza or coronaviruses, can sometimes lead to a serious condition called ARDS, where the lungs become very inflamed. For some people, this inflammation can then cause lasting lung scarring, known as pulmonary fibrosis, which makes it hard to breathe. Our team is looking closely at a specific signaling pathway, called S1PR1, within the cells lining the blood vessels of the lungs. We believe that problems with this pathway might contribute to how and why this scarring develops after a viral infection. By understanding this process better, we hope to discover new ways to protect the lungs and prevent long-term damage.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or reduce the severe lung scarring that can follow serious viral infections.
How similar studies have gone: The specific role of the S1PR1 pathway in the fibroproliferative phase of post-viral ARDS is not well understood, suggesting this approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Knipe, Rachel S — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Knipe, Rachel S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how blood vessel signals affect post-flu and post-coronavirus lung scarring
This NIH grant looks at how a specific blood vessel signal (S1PR1) in the lungs might prevent scarring after severe viral lung infections like flu or COVID-19.
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Alveolar Cell Dysfunction in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Using SFTPC Mutations to Find New Targets
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Screening new compounds to reverse gene signatures in IPF lungs
A researcher hopes to find compounds that reverse harmful gene changes in the lungs of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
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.