How nerve signals control immune reactions in the lungs and gut
Regulation of mucosal immunity by neuronal pathways
Researchers are discovering how nerve signals change immune reactions in the airways and digestive tract to help people with asthma, food allergies, or parasitic infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11140303 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will map the nerve-to-immune cell signals that regulate type 2 inflammation at mucosal surfaces such as the lung and gut. They will use mouse models and develop new tools to define the pathways that trigger and regulate these neuronal signals and their effects on immunity and inflammation. Where possible, the group will translate key findings into human samples to check relevance to people with allergic diseases. The work aims to test whether targeting these nerve-immune pathways can boost defense against worms or reduce chronic allergic inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with asthma, food allergies, or those with helminth infections who can provide blood or tissue samples would be the most relevant candidates for related human sampling or translational activities.
Not a fit: Individuals without mucosal allergic disease, those not willing to provide samples, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce asthma and allergic inflammation or enhance protection against intestinal parasites by targeting nerve-immune communication.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies have shown that neural signals can alter allergic inflammation, but translating these findings into human therapies remains early and is still being developed.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Artis, David — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Artis, David
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.