Investigating how innate lymphocytes affect asthma in obese individuals
Official title: Role of Innate Lymphocytes in Obese Asthma
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11005388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight might make asthma worse, especially in women, by exploring the role of certain immune cells in the body, using a special mouse model that reflects the health issues seen in people; the goal is to find better ways to treat asthma for those who are obese.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | January 2, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178517-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are obese individuals, particularly women, who experience severe asthma symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild asthma who are not obese may not benefit from the findings of this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between obesity and asthma, particularly focusing on how innate lymphocytes contribute to asthma severity in obese patients. The study uses a specialized mouse model that mimics the obesity and metabolic dysfunction seen in women, which is crucial since traditional models have limitations. By examining the immune responses in these mice, researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that lead to worse asthma outcomes in obese individuals, especially females. The findings could help identify new treatment strategies for managing asthma in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for asthma in obese patients, particularly women, by targeting specific immune responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the immune mechanisms in asthma, but this specific approach using a novel mouse model is relatively untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewkowich, Ian Paul — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lewkowich, Ian Paul
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lipid anti-Inflammatory Mediators in Asthma for Obese Individuals
A study testing a novel lipid-based drug, CXA-10, to help adults with obesity-related asthma breathe better and control their symptoms.
-
Predictors of inhaled corticosteroid response in asthma across BMI and race
A patient-focused study aims to find metabolite and genetic signals that predict how well people with asthma, including those who are overweight or from high-risk groups, respond to inhaled steroids.
-
Metformin for asthma in overweight and obese adults
This project tests whether metformin can help improve asthma control in overweight and obese adults.
-
Investigating the role of specific immune cells in asthma related to obesity
This study is looking at how being overweight can make asthma worse in women by comparing the immune responses in heavier and lighter mice with asthma, hoping to find new ways to help treat asthma flare-ups related to obesity.
-
Using metformin to help manage asthma in overweight and obese individuals
This study is looking at whether metformin, a diabetes medication, can help improve asthma symptoms in overweight and obese people, and it will involve a six-month trial where some participants will take the medication while others will take a placebo, all while making it easy for people to join from home.
-
Investigating how mitochondrial dysfunction affects airway inflammation in obese asthma
This study is looking at how problems with tiny energy factories in our cells, called mitochondria, can make asthma worse for people who are both obese and have asthma, and it hopes to find new ways to help them breathe better.
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.