# The Role of Lung-Resident Memory Th2 cells in Asthma

> **NIH NIH K08** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $173,217

## Abstract

Project Summary
Defining how memory T helper type 2 (Th2) cells initiate a recall response to an aeroallergen has the potential
to change our therapeutic approach to allergic asthma, the most common asthma subtype. During periods of
disease quiescence, approximately 5-10% of effector Th2 cells driving allergic asthma give rise to long-lived
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. Recently, a new paradigm in memory T cell biology has emerged in
which tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) persisting in non-lymphoid tissue rapidly initiate recall responses.
While tissue-resident memory Th2 cells (Th2-Trm) have been described, the function of this population in
promoting allergic inflammation is unclear. The objective of this proposal is to define the mechanisms whereby
Th2-Trm persisting in the lung orchestrate a recall response to an inhaled allergen. Our central hypothesis is
that Th2-Trm ignite allergic airway inflammation via a rapid and enhanced response to cognate antigen and the
ability to recruit circulating Th2 cells to the sites of antigen presentation. Mechanistically, we hypothesize that
Th2-Trm co-localize with dendritic cells (DCs) expressing the Th2 cell-attracting chemokine CCL17 and after
allergen re-challenge rapidly produce type 2 cytokines that initiate allergic inflammation and markedly induce
DC expression of CCL17. This enhanced CCL17 expression recruits circulating Th2 cells from the blood to
sites of antigen presentation where they are activated, amplifying allergic inflammation. We propose to use
innovative experimental systems to define the function of Th2-Trm, including parabiosis of allergen-treated and
naïve mice, a novel CCL17/CCL22 reporter mouse as well as single cell RNA-seq analysis of airway mucosal
T cells from humans with allergic asthma. Specifically, we propose (1) To define the function of Th2-Trm in
regulating recurrent allergic airway inflammation and (2) To define the role of CCL17 in regulating Th2-Trm
localization and function. Dr. Rahimi will perform the work in this K08 proposal in the Center for Immunology
and Inflammatory diseases (CIID) at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) under the mentorship of Dr.
Andrew Luster. The CIID is a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research center focused on mechanisms of
immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and is the foundation for immunology research at MGH. Dr. Rahimi
has developed a career development plan consisting of coursework in advanced microscopy, bioinformatics
and human translational research as well as organized a Training Advisory Committee to provide expertise and
assistance in these areas. The goal of this K08 award is to provide Dr. Rahimi with the intellectual and
technical training to become an independent, R01-funded investigator wit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10065010
- **Project number:** 5K08HL140173-04
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Rod Amir Rahimi
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $173,217
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-08 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10065010

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10065010, The Role of Lung-Resident Memory Th2 cells in Asthma (5K08HL140173-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10065010. Licensed CC0.

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