# Non-invasive surveillance of the lung allograft post transplantation

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $180,360

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT:
 Despite all the advances in lung transplantation, we still have no effective non-invasive methods for
assessing the immune function of lung transplant recipients. The standard method for assessing the immune
function of lung transplant recipients remains the surveillance bronchoscopy with trans-bronchial biopsy, a
procedure that carries a small but real risk of morbidity. Current immune-suppression practices are protocol
based, where recipients receive the same immunosuppression, mostly based on their time from transplant.
This approach however, does not take into account the considerable variability in pharmacokinetics,
pharmacodynamics and underling immune strength which is observed between patients. This protocol based
approach leads to unnecessary morbidity and mortality due to both over-immunosuppression (infection,
malignancy, toxicity) and under-immunosuppression (acute rejection). Importantly, each episode of infection
and acute rejection increases the risk of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD), the major factor limiting
survival after lung transplantation.
 The objective of this prospective study is to determine if plasma CXCR3 chemokines (CXCL9,
CXCL10, CXCL11) can be used to non-invasively diagnose episodes of acute rejection and identify recipients
at increased risk of developing CLAD. The successful completion of these aims would improve our current
management of lung transplant recipients by minimizing the need for surveillance transbronchial biopsies,
allowing for early non-invasive diagnosis of acute rejection and tailoring of immune suppression regimens to
serial measurements of actual immune function. This proposal is the ideal springboard into my independent
career and R01 application conducting a clinical trial tailoring an individual’s immunosuppression regimen to
serial biomarker(s) measurements as a method to minimize the incidence of acute rejection, pneumonia and
CLAD.
 My prior work experience, Master of Science in Clinical Research and clinical training in lung
transplantation make me uniquely suited for the current proposal. However, I require additional training in three
critical areas to successfully complete the current aims and transition to independent investigation:
molecular/cellular biology techniques, advanced statistical methods and clinical trial design. During this award
period, I will acquire new skills which will improve my ability to assess the bioactivity of chemokine pathways
and immune function after lung transplantation, statistically model complex data, optimize diagnostic
performance of biomarkers, conduct biomarker validation studies as well as clinical trials implementing their
use. My career development plan takes full advantage of the resources available at UCLA, including
coursework, Center of Immunogenetics, Departments of Pathology and Biomathematics, scientific and career
development seminars, as well as the internationally recognized expertise of my ment...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999030
- **Project number:** 5K23HL138256-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** YUSAKU MICHAEL SHINO
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $180,360
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-15 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999030

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999030, Non-invasive surveillance of the lung allograft post transplantation (5K23HL138256-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999030. Licensed CC0.

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