Lung sensory nerves that make airways tighten
Interoceptors controlling airway constriction
This research looks at specific lung sensory nerves that can cause airway tightening in people with asthma to understand how they make breathing worse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308262 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on a set of lung sensory neurons (called MrgprC11+) that appear to drive airway constriction in asthma, using mouse models that mimic allergic airway inflammation. Researchers will genetically label and remove these neurons, measure airway mechanics, and use RNA and epigenetic mapping (including ATAC-seq) plus calcium imaging to see how inflammation changes nerve activity. By comparing nerves from healthy and inflamed lungs, they aim to find molecular and functional changes that make nerves more likely to trigger bronchoconstriction. The goal is to reveal non-immune contributors to asthma symptoms and point to new treatment targets beyond standard anti-inflammatory drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with allergic asthma or airway hyperresponsiveness would be the most relevant group for the findings and any future treatments this research produces.
Not a fit: Patients whose breathing problems are caused mainly by fixed structural lung damage or non-asthma conditions may not benefit from nerve-targeting approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to reduce airway tightening and improve breathing by targeting lung nerves rather than only using anti-inflammatory drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal work, including the investigators' preliminary mouse data, showed that removing MrgprC11+ neurons can reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, but translating nerve-targeting approaches to people is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Han, Liang — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Han, Liang
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.