How nerve signals shape allergic inflammation in the lungs and gut
Neuroimmune interactions regulate development of allergic inflammation
This work looks at how allergy signals like IL-13 act on sensory nerves in the lungs and gut and how those nerve responses change asthma and food allergy symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222702 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies how immune chemicals tied to allergies (IL-4 and IL-13) interact with sensory nerves in the gut and lungs. Researchers use single-cell RNA sequencing to find which nerve cells carry the IL-13 receptor and use genetically modified mice that lack this receptor in specific neurons to see what changes. They also use an intestinal parasite model to probe how nerve signals affect neuropeptide production and type 2 immune responses that drive allergic reactions. The goal is to map nerve–immune pathways that could point to new ways to prevent or reduce asthma and food allergy problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with type 2-driven allergic conditions such as asthma, food allergies, or early-stage atopic disease would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People whose symptoms are not driven by type 2 inflammation or who have non-allergic forms of airway disease are less likely to benefit from this line of work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that target nerve–immune signals to lower allergic inflammation and slow or prevent progression of asthma and food allergies.
How similar studies have performed: Therapies that block IL-4/IL-13 signaling already help many patients, but the specific role of sensory nerves is a newer area with supportive animal data and limited human evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuchroo, Vijay K. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kuchroo, Vijay K.
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.