Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Northwestern University's Sponsored Research Division received a $654,762 Project Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) effective June 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031. The award funds research to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms by which T regulatory (Treg) cells limit persistent inflammation during recovery from viral pneumonia. The research investigates how Foxp3+ Treg cells orchestrate lung repair through suppressive mediators, particularly interleukin-10 (IL-10), and examines the role of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (IBALT) as a marker or cause of failed lung repair during viral pneumonia recovery.

The project employs spatial transcriptomics, transcriptional profiling, and bronchoalveolar lavage analysis to analyze immune cell subsets and intercellular signaling in both murine models and human samples. This research addresses a critical public health need, as viral pneumonia represents the leading infectious cause of death in the United States, with severe cases presenting as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) characterized by damaging immune-mediated responses. By identifying key mechanisms through which Treg cells promote resolution of inflammation and successful lung repair, the study aims to inform therapeutic approaches that could improve clinical outcomes in viral pneumonia patients, particularly in aging populations where recovery is impaired.