Understanding how a specific immune cell receptor affects allergic asthma
Official title: Study the role of ICOS on murine and human ILC2s
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11045291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific immune cell receptor affects allergy-related immune cells in asthma, with the hope of finding new ways to help people with asthma breathe easier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 11, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $590,711 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI181866-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from allergic asthma or related airway hyperreactivity conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-allergic asthma or those whose asthma is not influenced by immune mechanisms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of the ICOS receptor on a type of immune cell called ILC2s, which are known to contribute to allergic asthma. By studying both mouse models and human samples, the researchers aim to understand how ICOS influences the behavior of these cells and their production of inflammatory substances. The goal is to identify ways to reprogram these immune cells to reduce airway hyperreactivity, a key feature of asthma. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments targeting these immune mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that better control allergic asthma and improve patient quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in manipulating immune cell functions to treat asthma, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akbari, Omid — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Akbari, Omid
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
RNA dysregulation in a rare childhood brain disorder (PCH1b)
Researchers are studying a rare genetic brain disease in young children to understand how RNA processing goes wrong and leads to damage in the cerebellum and brainstem.
-
Studying how diverse signals come from similar molecules at glutamatergic synapses
A project at a university explores how synapses in the brain create different signals from a shared set of molecules, using a fruit-fly model to understand how this could relate to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
-
How brain chemicals may influence tau clumps in Alzheimer’s disease
A study from USC explores how certain brain chemicals might influence the clumping of tau protein related to Alzheimer’s disease, aiming to identify factors that could affect disease progression.
-
GLP-1 medicines and brain health: real-world clues about dementia risk
A nationwide study will follow adults 21 and older using GLP-1 medicines to see how these drugs relate to memory, thinking, and dementia risk in real life.
-
Male pesticide exposure and reproductive health through epigenetics
This project looks at how a man’s exposure to pesticides might affect his fertility and the health of his future children through changes in DNA.
-
Global effort to harmonize fMRI findings in psychiatry
A large, international effort will standardize how brain MRI data are collected and analyzed in people with various mental health conditions to improve consistency and discovery.
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.