How airway lining and immune cells keep Type 2 asthma inflammation going
Epithelial Immune Cell Interactions in Persistent T2 Inflammation
This project looks at how airway lining cells and immune cells respond to viruses and each other to explain ongoing Type 2 inflammation in children and others with asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists use airway cells taken from people (often children) with asthma and grow them together with mast cells and eosinophils to see how the cells signal to one another. They expose these mixed cell cultures to a common cold virus to mimic infections that can worsen asthma and map the two-way molecular signals. The team aims to identify specific regulators and pathways that keep Type 2 airway inflammation going despite usual treatments. Findings could point to new targets for therapies for people with persistent T2 inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People (often children) with asthma who have ongoing Type 2 inflammation or frequent asthma worsening despite standard inhaled therapies, and who can provide airway samples, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose asthma is not driven by Type 2 inflammation (non-T2 asthma) or those without airway involvement are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could reveal new molecular targets or ways to interrupt persistent Type 2 airway inflammation, leading to better treatments for people with hard-to-control asthma.
How similar studies have performed: Existing biologic treatments that target Type 2 pathways (for example, anti-IL-5 or IL-4R therapies) help many patients, but this specific cell-interaction and virus-response work is newer and seeks additional targets.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hallstrand, Teal S — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Hallstrand, Teal S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.