Exploring immune cell and microbiome interactions in healthy lungs

Pulmonary Immune Cell-microbiome Interactions in the Healthy Lung: the ILLUMINA-2 Study

Observational Hvidovre University Hospital · NCT05846620

This study is trying to understand how immune cells and bacteria in healthy lungs work together by looking at samples from patients having surgery.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorHvidovre University Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hvidovre)
Trial IDNCT05846620 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to characterize the immune cell populations and their activation patterns in the healthy lung, alongside the surrounding cytokine-chemokine environment and the lung microbiome. It will involve collecting bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), blood samples, and swabs from the oral and nasal cavities of 50 patients undergoing elective surgery. The study will analyze the composition and spatial heterogeneity of immune cells and their interactions with the microbiome, providing insights into the normal pulmonary immune system. The findings could help establish a baseline for understanding lung health and disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy men and women aged 40 to 75 who are undergoing elective surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with immune deficiencies, lung diseases, active cancer or infections, or those with contraindications for bronchoscopy will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of lung health and inform future treatments for pulmonary diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While studies have explored aspects of the pulmonary immune system, this specific focus on the interplay between immune cells and the lung microbiome in healthy individuals is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Men and women
* Age 40 to 75

Exclusion Criteria:

* Immune deficiency
* Lung disease
* Active cancer or infection
* Absolute contraindications for bronchoscopy

  * Untreated malignant arrhythmia
  * Documented or suspected intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure ≥ \> 15 mmHg)
  * One-lung ventilation
  * Severe coagulopathy

Where this trial is running

Hvidovre

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Healthyhealthy lung, lung microbiota, microbiome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.