Understanding how trained immunity in the airway mucosa distinguishes asthma from allergies.
Official title: Trained Immunity in the Airway Mucosa Differentiates Asthma from Allergy Alone
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10788464 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system works differently in people with asthma compared to those who only have allergies, to find out what causes asthma in allergic individuals and to discover new ways to treat it, and we may need some patients to help by sharing samples or information.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $210,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI176580-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10788464 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with asthma, particularly those with allergic backgrounds, as well as allergic individuals who do not currently have asthma symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have non-allergic asthma or other unrelated respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in immune responses between individuals with asthma and those with allergies alone. It aims to identify the underlying mechanisms that lead to asthma development in allergic individuals, focusing on the role of airway epithelial cells and immune cells in the airway mucosa. By analyzing these factors, the research seeks to uncover potential therapeutic targets that could lead to more effective treatments for asthma. Patients may be involved in providing samples or data to help understand these immune responses better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and targeted therapies for asthma, improving management and outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune mechanisms in asthma, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Medoff, Benjamin David — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Medoff, Benjamin David
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Childhood Allergy and the Neonatal Environment: Early Life Airways and Asthma
A long-term study following newborns to age 5 to understand how early-life nose and airway biology, immune development, and the environment influence asthma risk.
-
Role of a special interferon-responsive T cell in allergies and asthma
A study explores a unique interferon-responsive T cell type that may influence allergies and asthma, aiming to understand why some people become allergic and how this T cell subset could affect airway inflammation.
-
Children's Allergy and Asthma Data Hub
A national data hub will pool and harmonize child allergy and asthma cohort data to help researchers discover ways to prevent asthma in kids.
-
Viral and Host Factors in Infant and Child Allergy and Asthma
This grant explores why some babies and young children develop asthma by studying how viruses, environment, and airway cells interact from birth.
-
Children's Allergy and Asthma Data Hub (CADRE)
This project builds a shared data hub that combines many childhood allergy and asthma birth-study records so researchers can find early-life factors that change a child's risk of asthma.
-
How microRNAs control allergy and asthma
This work looks at tiny gene-regulating molecules called microRNAs to find molecular ways to reduce allergic inflammation in people with asthma.
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.