Jianing Fu, PhD

Research Project:
Quantifying Bidirectional Alloresponses After Human Lung Transplantation to Dissect Mechanisms of Rejection

Grant Awarded:

Innovation Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
biomarkers
clinical research
computational biology

Research Diseases:

COPD
cystic fibrosis
interstitial lung disease
pulmonary fibrosis
pulmonary hypertension

Rejection is a serious problem after a lung transplant, often caused by the recipient's immune system attacking the new organ. The donated lung itself, however, contains many of the donor’s immune cells, which can also fight back against the recipient's body. We believe the balance between these two opposing attacks—from the patient and donated organ—determines whether the transplant succeeds or fails. Our research investigates this hidden war by tracking the key players: T cells and B cells. In this study, we will map how donor and recipient immune cells repopulate the lung over time. We aim to identify the specific T cells that drive cellular rejection and to test our hypothesis that harmful antibodies are produced by recipient B cells that have moved into the lung itself. By creating a detailed map of these immune responses, we can develop better diagnostic tools to detect rejection earlier and more accurately, ultimately leading to improved, personalized therapies for lung transplant recipients.

Page last updated: September 23, 2026

Jianing Fu, PhD

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