How microRNAs control allergy and asthma
Official title: MicroRNA directed pathway discovery in allergy and asthma
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11323869 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at tiny gene-regulating molecules called microRNAs to find molecular ways to reduce allergic inflammation in people with asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2011 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $485,353 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL109102-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323869 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with allergic asthma—especially those with frequent flare-ups or evidence of Th2-driven disease—would be the most relevant candidates for future therapies from this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with non-allergic forms of asthma or airway disease driven by other mechanisms may be less likely to benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying tiny molecules called microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs that help control immune cells involved in allergic asthma. They focus on the miR-15/16 family and the lncRNA MALAT1 to understand how these RNAs affect regulatory T cells (Tregs) that normally limit allergic inflammation. Using laboratory experiments that map RNA targets and manipulate these molecules in immune cells and model systems, they chart the molecular circuits that drive airway inflammation. The team hopes those circuits will point to new molecular targets for therapies to reduce allergic lung inflammation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new treatments that restore Treg control and reduce allergic asthma symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies support roles for miR-15/16 and MALAT1 in Treg function and allergy models, but translating these findings into human treatments remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ansel, Karl Mark — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ansel, Karl Mark
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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.