Investigating how age affects the development of immune cells in the lungs related to asthma.
Does age matter for the development of pathogenic T helper 2 resident memory cells in the lung?
This study is looking at how getting older affects certain immune cells in the lungs that are important for allergic asthma, using baby mice to see how early exposure to allergens might influence asthma symptoms that can last into adulthood, with hopes of finding new ways to treat this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10991375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how age influences the formation of specific immune cells known as T helper 2 resident memory cells in the lungs, which are linked to allergic asthma. By using neonatal mouse models that mimic the characteristics of asthma in humans, the study aims to uncover how early life exposure to allergens may shape these immune responses. The findings could provide insights into why asthma symptoms can persist from childhood into adulthood and may lead to new treatment strategies targeting these immune cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children with allergic asthma and adults who have experienced asthma since childhood.
Not a fit: Patients with asthma that developed later in life or those without a history of allergic asthma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for allergic asthma, particularly for children, by targeting the underlying immune mechanisms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune responses in asthma, but this specific focus on age-related differences in T helper 2 cells is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ai, Xingbin — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ai, Xingbin
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.