How tuft cells in the nose and airways send signals
Intracellular signaling in airway solitary chemosensory (tuft) cells
Researchers are looking at how rare tuft cells in the nose and airways use chemical signals, which could matter for people with chronic sinusitis, asthma, or airway inflammation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247105 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies rare airway tuft (solitary chemosensory) cells that appear in the nose, trachea, and after lung injury, and how they use chemical signals like calcium and cAMP to control local responses. Investigators will examine how different receptors on tuft cells (for example bitter, sweet, succinate, cholinergic, and adenosine receptors) change cell signaling and the release of substances such as acetylcholine, antimicrobial peptides, and IL-25. Because tuft cells are scarce in healthy tissue but increase in nasal polyps, the team will work with human airway samples, compare healthy and inflamed tissue, and use lab measures of signaling and secreted factors. The goal is to map the signaling pathways that link tuft cells to nearby epithelial responses and sensory nerves.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma, or other airway inflammation—especially those undergoing nasal or airway surgery who can donate tissue—would be ideal candidates for participation or tissue contribution.
Not a fit: People without airway inflammation or those who cannot donate tissue or travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit directly from this project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce airway inflammation and infections in conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma by targeting tuft-cell signals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown bitter-receptor activation on tuft cells can trigger calcium-driven antimicrobial responses, but signaling through many other tuft-cell receptors remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Robert J. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Lee, Robert J.
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.