How allergens make airway cells release DNA that may drive allergic reactions
Allergen-induced extracellular DNA in type 2 immunity
This project looks at whether DNA released by airway cells after allergen exposure helps trigger allergic immune responses in people with asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140300 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study airway epithelial cells in the lab and in mice to see if common allergens make those cells quickly release fragments of their own DNA into the airway. They will measure molecular signals such as caspase-3 activation and track type 2 immune responses after allergen exposure. In some experiments they will block extracellular DNA to see if that reduces allergic inflammation. The team uses human airway cells, animal models, and molecular assays to understand the chain of events that could lead to asthma symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with allergic asthma or other airway allergies triggered by airborne allergens would be most relevant to the findings of this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose airway disease is not driven by allergy (for example smoking-related COPD or purely structural lung disease) are less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this work could point to new targets for preventing or reducing allergic airway inflammation in asthma and related allergic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary lab and mouse data, including findings from this team, show extracellular DNA can promote allergic inflammation, but turning that knowledge into treatments has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
Scottsdale, United States
- Mayo Clinic Arizona — Scottsdale, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kita, Hirohito — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Kita, Hirohito
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.