Using engineered T cells to help heal lung injuries
Official title: Modulating signaling pathways in alveolar epithelial cells with engineered T cells
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11074021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $81,364 |
| NIH project number | 5F32HL172536-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are experiencing acute respiratory distress syndrome or related lung injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic lung conditions or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacob, Anjali — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Jacob, Anjali
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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.