Neutrophils' role in severe asthma

Neutrophil responses Drive Severe Asthma

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-11387532

This project looks at how certain white blood cells called neutrophils drive severe asthma in people who do not respond to current treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11387532 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be asked to provide airway samples such as biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum, and blood during care at the clinic. Researchers will compare people with neutrophil‑predominant (non‑T2) inflammation to other asthma types to see how neutrophils enter and act in the airways. Lab studies on these cells and tissues will measure neutrophil activation, signaling (for example interferon‑γ and IL‑17 pathways), and markers of airway remodeling. The team aims to pinpoint mechanisms and potential targets for new treatments for patients whose asthma is not controlled by current T2‑directed drugs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with severe asthma, especially those with persistent airway neutrophilia or who do not improve with standard T2‑targeting therapies.

Not a fit: People with mild asthma or whose symptoms are well controlled by existing T2‑targeted medications are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or therapies for people with severe, neutrophil‑driven asthma who lack effective treatment options.

How similar studies have performed: While T2‑directed treatments have proven effective for eosinophilic asthma, approaches targeting neutrophil‑driven asthma are much less developed and remain largely experimental.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Airway Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.