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Project

Characterization and role of innate lymphoid cell subtypes in non-allergic asthma

Asthma is a lower airway disease characterized by symptoms, episodic attacks and underlying airway inflammation and -hyper reactivity. Recent evidence suggests that environmental exposures (exercise, pathogens, pollutants, allergens) can trigger and stimulate the epithelial airway barrier to start a vicious circle of local inflammation. The newly identified innate lymphoid cells (ILC) here might play a central role. A subgroup of (mostly non-allergic) asthmatics remains uncontrolled, despite cornerstone treatment to tackle airway inflammation (corticosteroids), most likely due to their specific inflammatory characteristics. In this project, we will develop additional asthma murine models to mimic non-allergic asthmatic airway inflammation. Furthermore, in in vitro and cross-sectional studies we will study airway inflammation in relation to exposure to those triggers in different asthma patient groups. In all these models, we will study the role of ILC.
Date:1 Oct 2018 →  30 Sep 2022
Keywords:Asthma, Epithelial cell, Innate lymphoid cell, Inflammatory phenotypes, Environmental triggers
Disciplines:Paediatrics and neonatology, Nursing