# Sputum Microbial Markers of Type 2-Low Asthma

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $662,758

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Asthma is a heterogeneous disease for which inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are a cornerstone of
treatment by current guidelines. However, up to 45% of patients do not respond to ICS therapy, which is
more effective against airway inflammation driven by type 2 immune responses. Moreover, ~50% of
asthmatic adults do not demonstrate evidence of significant type 2 airway inflammation. Thus, patients
with “Type 2-low” asthma comprise a large subgroup with poorly understood disease etiologies and
limited treatment options. Moreover, the consequences of chronic ICS treatment in Type 2-low patients
are uncertain and potentially even harmful. Recent bronchoscopy studies have revealed that Type 2-low
asthma, even in ICS-naïve patients, is associated with significant alterations in the airway microbiome
(“airway dysbiosis”), and patterns of airway dysbiosis are linked to differences in asthma control. These
findings have largely relied on invasive studies using bronchoscopy. In contrast, analysis of induced
sputum allows for larger numbers of patients to be studied longitudinally, so that relationships between
airway dysbiosis, airway immune response patterns, and asthma control can be better understood. In
addition, a sputum-based microbial biomarker(s) of asthma phenotype or outcome would allow for
identification of particular patients for tailored interventions targeting the microbiome. In Aim 1 we will
conduct cross-sectional analyses to identify induced sputum microbiota that are differentially enriched
among Type 2-low individuals, stratified by ICS use, whose asthma is or is not well controlled. In Aim 2, a
subset of asthmatic subjects in each group will be followed for 12 months, spanning seasonal variations
in asthma control, airway microbiome composition, and ICS treatments that are important to consider.
We will perform metagenomic sequencing studies to gain comprehensive insights into all microbiota
present, the functions they contribute, and relationships between the airway microbiome, concurrent
airway immune response patterns and clinical outcomes in Type 2-low patients. We expect to identify
novel sputum-based microbial biomarkers of Type 2-low asthma and asthma outcomes in this population
that will lead to new therapeutic avenues for this important subgroup.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10169229
- **Project number:** 5R01AI129958-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Yvonne Jean Huang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $662,758
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-06-07 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10169229

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10169229, Sputum Microbial Markers of Type 2-Low Asthma (5R01AI129958-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10169229. Licensed CC0.

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