Daniel Calabrese, MD

Research Project:
Unraveling How Cytomegalovirus and Natural Killer Cells Cause Lung Disease

Grant Awarded:

Innovation Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
computational biology
immunology immunotherapy

Research Diseases:

ARDS
respiratory viruses

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that infects up to 90% of the global population and permanently resides in a latent form. Patients with severe lung injury have increased risk for CMV reactivation, and when this occurs, it can lead to death. We have shown that the natural killer (NK) cell is important in constraining CMV infections. However, these cells cause injury after transplant rather than promote lung health. It is unknown how CMV influences this important cell population nor how they cause lung injury together. We believe that special NK cells that can recognize CMV are increased after damage to the lungs. We propose to develop a new system to study how CMV reactivation in the lung influences these NK cells. Success in this project will be critical to understanding how CMV causes lung disease, and how it shapes the lung immune system. Our new methods will identify potential targets to prevent human disease and lung injury.

Page last updated: October 7, 2024

Join the Patient & Caregiver Network

How to Help People Quit

10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air

State of the Air Key Findings

Become an Advocate

Register for a LUNG FORCE Walk

Double Your Gift

Daniel Calabrese, MD

2X Your Lifesaving Impact

Make a Donation

Become a Lung Health Insider

Select Your Location

Change Language

Lung HelpLine

1-800-LUNG-USA