How isocyanates at work cause asthma

Deciphering Occupational Asthma Pathogenesis Caused by Isocyanate

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11163187

How workplace chemicals called diisocyanates cause asthma in workers exposed to them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11163187 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research looks at why some workers who breathe in chemicals called diisocyanates develop severe asthma while others do not. Scientists use a new mouse method that delivers these chemicals deep into the lungs to mirror workplace exposures and study immune reactions. They compare animals that were sensitized to the chemical with those that were not to find patterns and potential exposure markers. The findings are intended to point toward tests or prevention strategies that could later be tried in people who work with these chemicals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants would be current or former workers with known diisocyanate exposure or people diagnosed with occupational asthma linked to these chemicals.

Not a fit: People whose asthma is purely environmental and unrelated to workplace chemical exposures are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could identify biomarkers and immune patterns that enable earlier detection, better workplace screening, and new ways to prevent or treat diisocyanate-related occupational asthma.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work, including the team's own mouse model, has produced new immune insights but translation to human screening tests and treatments remains limited.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.