The purpose of this study is to create a biorepository (also known as a “biobank”) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to support research studies relating to lung transplantation. A biobank is a collection of samples such as blood, body fluid, or tissue from patients. These samples provide a critical resource for human-centered research.
To contribute to the biorepository, participants do not need to do anything differently. We collect samples from procedures that are done in the course of normal clinical care. There is usually leftover material from these procedures, after all clinical testing is complete, that we can add to the biobank to support research into lung health and disease.
Currently, our focus is on collecting fluid left over from routine bronchoscopies after transplant. We developed methods to grow lung cells from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, so that we can study cells from each participant in the lab. We are comparing cells from patients with and without acute lung transplant rejection to identify potential mechanisms of rejection. We are also using the cells to build better models of transplant rejection. The objective is ultimately to suggest new approaches to treating or preventing rejection.
This biorepository includes only patients at UW-Madison. There is no end date for this study. The more samples and health information that we can collect, the more useful the biobank will be for research.
Enrollment
A research coordinator will approach potential participants, usually when they come in for a bronchoscopy. Once written informed consent is signed, we will check in at subsequent visits to obtain verbal agreement to continued participation in the biorepository.
Study Procedures
After transplant, recipients undergo bronchoscopy procedures at approximately 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and sometimes later, to evaluate for rejection or infection. This study will collect excess BAL fluid from these procedures.
The biobank may also collect lung tissue, blood, or other body fluids, as long as they are left over after clinical testing is complete.
This study plans to collect information from participants’ electronic medical record.
Information collected includes:
- Age, sex, and ethnicity
- Health, medical, surgical, and social history
- Lab results
- Transplant details
- Medications and treatments received
- Complications or infections, lung function, imaging studies, and biopsy results