Tiny RNAs that control airway muscles in asthma
MicroRNAs in Airway Smooth Muscle Function and Asthma
This project looks at whether tiny genetic regulators called microRNAs control airway muscle behavior and can change asthma symptoms and treatment response in people with asthma, including children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258486 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory screens and CRISPR gene editing in airway smooth muscle cells to find microRNAs that change cell growth, size, and contractility. Top microRNA candidates will be tested in living models and compared with samples or data from people with asthma to see if they affect airway narrowing and responsiveness. The team will also study whether changing these microRNAs alters how patients respond to common asthma medicines like bronchodilators. Findings combine cell work, genetic tools, animal studies, and human biospecimens or clinical data to connect molecular changes to real asthma symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people with asthma— including children—who can donate clinical information, airway samples, or take part in follow-up lung function testing.
Not a fit: People without asthma or whose breathing problems are due to other lung diseases are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that directly target airway muscle to reduce asthma attacks or improve how well inhaled medicines work.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown microRNAs can alter airway muscle behavior, but translating these findings into proven patient treatments remains new and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Quan — Harvard University D/b/a Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Lu, Quan
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.