Understanding how LIGHT affects severe asthma and airway remodeling
Official title: The TNF Superfamily Control of Pathological Remodeling Associated with Severe Asthma
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11360603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how a molecule called LIGHT drives severe asthma by promoting dangerous changes in the airways, with the goal of finding new ways to help people who don’t respond to current treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $515,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177359-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11360603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with severe asthma characterized by neutrophilic airway inflammation and remodeling who have poor response to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People without severe asthma or those not reaching the specific endotype studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how LIGHT signaling from various immune and structural cells contributes to airway neutrophilia and remodeling in severe asthma, using a mouse model and human patient samples. It will compare LIGHT’s effects to other pathways like IL-17 and neutrophil depletion, and test whether blocking LIGHT or combining LIGHT blockade with steroids can reduce airway resistance, epithelial damage, and fibroblast activation. The work includes a human lung–in–a–dish model to mirror patient biology and assess potential therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies that reduce airway remodeling and improve breathing for patients with severe asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown LIGHT-related pathways can influence airway remodeling, but translating these findings to human therapy remains an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herro, Rana Elias — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Herro, Rana Elias
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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.