Immune and cell‑aging changes in steroid‑resistant severe asthma
Dysregulated Immunometabolism and Premature Senescence in Corticosteroid-Refractory Severe Asthma
This project looks at immune system changes and early cell aging in people whose severe asthma doesn't improve with steroid treatment to find new treatment ideas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292422 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have severe asthma that doesn't respond to inhaled steroids, researchers are studying immune cells taken from your lungs to see what is different. They use high‑dimensional multi‑omics testing on bronchoalveolar lavage samples and other laboratory methods to map immune and metabolic changes. The team also uses mouse models to test whether targeting those pathways can improve disease. Their earlier findings include a strong IFN‑gamma/type‑1 response and tissue‑resident memory T cells in some severe asthma patients, and now they are examining immunometabolism and premature cellular senescence as possible drivers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people (adults and possibly children) with severe asthma that remains uncontrolled despite high‑dose corticosteroids who are willing to provide lung samples such as sputum or undergo bronchoscopy for research.
Not a fit: People with mild, steroid‑responsive asthma or those unwilling to provide lung samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments for people with steroid‑refractory severe asthma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical work targeting GATA‑3 showed benefit in mild allergic asthma, but strategies for corticosteroid‑refractory severe asthma are newer and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Anuradha — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Ray, Anuradha
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.