How viruses and allergens change immunity in chronic airway disease
Viral and allergen-driven immunity in chronic lung disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11292384
Looking at how respiratory viruses and common allergens change immune responses in people with chronic asthma and long-term airway disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11292384 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You will hear about lab-based research that studies immune cells, lung tissue, and blood to see how viruses and allergens drive long-term airway inflammation. The team examines immune signaling molecules (like cytokines, TLRs, and Notch), cell metabolism and autophagy, and epigenetic or ‘trained immunity’ changes that can make airway disease worse. Work combines molecular experiments, animal and cell models, and analysis of human-derived samples from people with airway disease. The goal is to connect these mechanisms to the structural and functional lung changes that cause severe, steroid-resistant asthma symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic asthma or other long-term airway diseases, especially those who have frequent viral-triggered exacerbations or poor response to steroids, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without chronic airway disease or whose breathing problems are driven by non-immune causes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new biological targets that lead to treatments to reduce severe asthma attacks, mucus overproduction, and steroid-resistant airway inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and translational studies have pinpointed immune pathways (cytokines, TLRs, ILC2, autophagy) as promising targets, though turning those findings into new patient treatments is still in progress.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LUKACS, NICHOLAS W — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: LUKACS, NICHOLAS W
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.
Conditions: Airway Disease