What keeps lung and other tissue macrophages healthy and working
Genetic Mechanisms of Tissue-Resident Macrophage Maintenance and Function
Researchers are finding which genes help long-lived tissue immune cells, especially lung macrophages, stay healthy and protect the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11336889 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team grows lung-like alveolar macrophages outside the body to mimic the cells that live in the lungs. They built a genome-wide knockout library to turn off individual genes in those cells and run large-scale screens to see which genes are needed for the cells to keep their lung-specific identity and normal functions. Promising gene hits will be followed up with experiments to understand how they control macrophage maintenance and activity. This work is done in lab-grown models and cellular systems rather than in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to people with lung conditions such as chronic inflammatory lung disease, recurrent lung infections, or other disorders involving alveolar macrophage dysfunction.
Not a fit: People whose health issues are unrelated to lung immune cells or macrophage function are unlikely to see direct benefits from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets to boost lung immunity or reduce harmful lung inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and cell studies have identified genes that influence macrophage behavior, but using genome-wide knockout screens in alveolar macrophage–like cells is a newer and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olive, Andrew — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Olive, Andrew
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 below.