Understanding Immune Cell Response in Asthma

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byAndrew D Luster

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Andrew D. Luster, M.D.,Ph.D.

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Determining how memory T helper type 2 (Th2) initiate recall responses to aeroallergens has the potential to change the therapeutic approach to allergic asthma, the most common asthma subtype. \~5-10% of effector Th2 cells recruited into the lung give rise to long-lived tissue resident memory cells that are poised to respond upon allergen re-exposure.Consequently, targeting memory Th2 cell activation is an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, it is not well understood how allergen inhalation initiates a memory Th2 cell response in the lung. The focus of this new study on the role of lung-resident memory Th2 cells in orchestrating the recall response to allergen in the lung, including the recruitment and activation of circulating Th2 cells, is a natural, timely and exciting extension of the investigators' ongoing Allergen Challenge Protocol.

Research Team

Andrew D Luster

Principal Investigator

MGH

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-55 with allergic asthma, who've never smoked much (less than 5 pack-years and none in the past 5 years), have a certain level of lung function, react to indoor allergens like pet dander or dust mites, and are not pregnant or nursing. People can't join if they're on certain medications, have other lung diseases, severe allergies to specific drugs used in the study, recent infections or steroid use.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing and able to give informed consent.

I am willing to talk with the lead researcher.

You will need to have a positive test for methacholine challenge with a PC20 less than 16 mg/ml.

See 4 more

Exclusion Criteria

I have been intubated due to severe asthma in the past.

I haven't used steroids, beta blockers, or MAO inhibitors for asthma in the last month.

Subjects with a high possibility of poor compliance with the study.

See 14 more

Treatment Details

Interventions

Airway Brushing (Other)
Bronchoscopy/BAL (Other)

Trial OverviewThe study investigates how memory Th2 cells in the lungs respond to common airborne allergens by performing bronchoscopy/BAL and airway brushing on participants. It aims to understand these cells' role in allergic reactions which could lead to new treatments for allergic asthma.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Allergic Asthmatic or Healthy Control AdultsExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

Allergic Asthmatic or Healthy Control Adults will undergo Bronchoscopy/BAL and airway brushing