U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know
Here’s how you know

**Official websites use .gov**
A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
A **lock** ( A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Search Query:
			MAIN MENU

																				
              Health Topics
								All Health Topics A-Z
					
													
		

		Asthma


				

															Heart-Healthy Living


				

															High Blood Pressure


				

															Sickle Cell Disease


				

															Sleep Apnea


				

															Information & Resources on COVID-19
																				
              Health Education
								Education Programs and Initiatives
					
													
		

		The Heart Truth®


				

															Learn More Breathe Better®


				

															Blood Diseases and Disorders Education Program


				

															Publications and Resources
																				
              The Science
								Research Focus Areas
					
													
		

		Blood Disorders and Blood Safety


				

															Sleep Science and Sleep Disorders


				

															Lung Diseases


				

															Health Disparities and Inequities


				

															Heart and Vascular Diseases


				

															Precision Medicine Activities


				

															Obesity, Nutrition, and Physical Activity


				

															Population and Epidemiology Studies


				

															Women’s Health


				

															Research Topics


				

															Clinical Trials


				

															All Science A-Z
																				
              Grants and Training
								Grants and Training Home


				

															Policies and Guidelines


				

															Funding Opportunities and Contacts


				

															Training and Career Development
																				
              News and Events
								News and Events Home
					
													
		

		Email Alerts


				

															All News
					
													
		

		NHLBI News


				

															NHLBI in the Press


				

															Research Features


				

															All Events
					
													
		

		Past Events


				

															Upcoming Events
																				
              About NHLBI
								About NHLBI Home
					
													
		

		Mission and Strategic Vision


				

															Leadership


				

															Divisions, Offices and Centers


				

															Advisory Committees


				

															Budget and Legislative Information


				

															Jobs and Working at the NHLBI


				

															Contact and FAQs


				

															NIH Sleep Research Plan
						
						HOME
		Search Text: Home/< Back ToThe Science/Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC)

Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC)
                        
                                                Project began
            2005
              Project ended
            2019
              Point of contact
            
                
            Tom Croxton, Ph.D., M.D.
              Website
            
                
            https://biolincc.nhlbi.nih.gov/studies/...
                                        On this page
                        At a Glance
                                                                                                                    Contribution to Science
                                                            How It Worked
                                                            Resources for Investigators
        What was the goal of the LTRC?
                        
            The NHLBI funds biospecimen repositories, such as the LTRC, to provide access to important resources that can fuel cutting-edge research.

The goal of the LTRC was to increase our understanding of lung diseases by studying lung tissue samples from people who do or do not have lung diseases. The LTRC was an NHLBI-funded resource program that provided donated human lung tissue samples, blood samples, and clinical data to approved investigators free of charge for use in research. This research can lead to better ways of preventing and managing lung diseases.
                AT A GLANCE
                                        From 2005 to 2019, the LTRC collected, stored, and distributed samples and data from patients with lung disease.
          The LTRC had samples and data from more than 4,200 participants.
          The LTRC provided tissues and data to approved investigators free of charge. LTRC tissues and data are available to researchers through NHLBI’s BIOLINCC program
          LTRC resources have been used in numerous research projects, leading to the publication of more than 60 scientific articles.
            How did the LTRC contribute to scientific discoveries?
    Investigators need access to appropriate biospecimens to study the mechanisms of lung diseases at the cellular and molecular levels. However, considerable expense and effort are required to recruit donors and collect and process lung tissues for research. By performing these tasks, the LTRC provided a valuable resource to catalyze research that would otherwise be impossible.
              How did the LTRC work?
    The LTRC enrolled donor subjects who were planning lung surgery, collected blood and clinical data from them, and then processed and stored the donated tissue that would otherwise be discarded after the lung surgery. Most of the donor subjects had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial fibrotic lung disease, which includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The LTRC used a standardized protocol to ensure high quality and uniformity when it collected its biospecimens and data.

The LTRC consisted of the following:

Four clinical centers, which recruited and enrolled participants and collected biospecimens and data.
	A tissue core laboratory, which collected and assessed the biospecimens sent from the clinical centers.
	A radiology core laboratory, which collected and assessed computed tomography (CT) scans sent from the clinical centers.
	A data coordinating center, which coordinated the collection of biospecimens and data and served as the primary point of contact for LTRC users.
              How can investigators use LTRC resources?
    Investigators can request specimens and data online through the BIOLINCC Repository. The NHLBI encourages investigators who are applying for NHLBI funding to use LTRC resources in their research.

Using lung tissue specimens from the LTRC, investigators can apply new technologies to characterize cellular and molecular abnormalities and how they relate to the presence, severity, and outcome of lung diseases. This research can lead to a better understanding of disease development and new ways to treat and prevent lung diseases.
                                Related Scientific Focus Areas
                                    Lung Diseases
                                                                                                                                                                Related Health Topics
                                    What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
              The Lungs Back To Top Link
  

        

        Back to top
  Web Policies & Notices
  

        

              Accessibility
                      No FEAR Act Data
                      Privacy Policy
                      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      HHS Vulnerability Disclosure
    
          Related Government Websites
  

        

              Health and Human Services
                      National Institutes of Health
                      Office of the Inspector General
                      USA.gov
    
          Stay Connected
    
      
            chat bubblesLive ChatLive Chat with us, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.envelopeGet Email AlertsReceive automatic alerts about NHLBI related news and highlights from across the Institute.
  Footer Bottom
  

        



Contact Us
                            Site Index
                            Jobs