Using engineered T cells to help heal lung injuries

Modulating signaling pathways in alveolar epithelial cells with engineered T cells

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11074021

This study is exploring a new treatment for people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by using specially modified immune cells to help heal their lungs, especially important for those affected after COVID-19.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11074021 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a new cell-based therapy to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious condition where the lungs cannot heal properly after injury. The approach involves engineering T cells to deliver specific growth factors that promote the regeneration of lung cells. By understanding how these growth factors work, the researchers aim to create a more effective treatment for patients suffering from ARDS, especially in light of the increased need for effective therapies following the COVID-19 pandemic. The study will involve both laboratory experiments and potential future clinical applications.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome or related lung injuries.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic lung conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment that significantly improves recovery outcomes for patients with acute lung injuries.

How similar studies have performed: While cell-based therapies have shown promise in preclinical studies, this specific approach using engineered T cells is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acute Lung InjuryAcute Pulmonary InjuryAcute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAdult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.