How obesity changes lung immune cells and asthma-related inflammation
Impact of Obesity on Lung Macrophage Metabolism and Inflammation
This project looks at whether obesity causes changes in lung immune cells that make asthma worse in people with obesity and asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237981 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have obesity and asthma, researchers are studying how fat builds up in lung immune cells and may drive inflammation that worsens breathing. They use mouse models, lab-grown cells, and detailed lipid analyses to identify which fats and pathways change in obesity. The team has found fat-laden lung macrophages and singled out the fatty acid stearate as a potential driver in obese mice and will compare these results to human lung samples. The goal is to uncover targets that could lead to new ways to prevent or treat obesity-linked asthma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with obesity who have asthma, including both adults and children whose asthma is hard to control, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: People whose asthma is clearly allergic (non–obesity-related) or those without asthma are less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new treatment targets or prevention strategies specifically for asthma linked to obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies show obesity alters immune cells, but translating lipid-targeted approaches to treat human obesity-associated asthma is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hill, David Andrew — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Hill, David Andrew
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.