Stopping harmful mucus in type 2-high asthma by targeting microRNAs and cell stress
Project 2: Micro-RNA and ER stress regulation of pathological mucus in type 2-high asthma
Looks at whether changing small RNA regulators and cellular stress can reduce thick, blocking mucus in people with type 2-high asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325856 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team aims to understand how tiny regulators called microRNAs (especially the miR-141/200 family) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress control the goblet cells that make airway mucus. They will study how these microRNAs influence the switch from basal airway cells to mucus-secreting cells and how that leads to pathological mucus production and plugging. The project will generate pre-clinical data on two new therapeutic approaches to prevent or reduce mucus plugging. Work will include experiments on human airway epithelial cells and laboratory models to test the proposed treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with severe, type 2-high asthma who have persistent mucus production or mucus plugging despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People with non–type 2 asthma, mild asthma without mucus plugging, or mucus symptoms driven by other causes are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or clear mucus plugs and improve breathing and lung function in people with severe type 2-high asthma.
How similar studies have performed: Some preclinical and early clinical work targeting mucus production and select microRNAs has shown promise, but combining miR-141/200 family targeting with ER-stress modulation is a relatively novel approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodruff, Prescott G — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Woodruff, Prescott G
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.