# Local B cell memory in airway hypersensitivity.

> **NIH NIH F31** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2023 · $3,017

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that currently has no cure. Production of
immunoglobulin E (IgE) to inhaled allergens drives inflammation and the allergic response seen in allergic
asthma. Over half of patients exhibit allergen-specific IgE at the respiratory mucosa but not systemically in
circulation, illustrating the importance of local production of IgE. However, the mechanisms that promote and
maintain local pathogenic IgE responses are not understood. Using a mouse model of airway hypersensitivity,
we have identified a population of memory B cells that localize to the lungs after repeated exposures to inhaled
allergens. These lung-localized memory B cells exhibit specificity for allergens, persist after the resolution of
inflammation, expand upon re-challenge with increase of local allergen-specific IgE. We hypothesize that tissue-
resident memory B cells are the major source of local responses in asthmatic lungs, responsible for maintaining
long-term hypersensitivity in the airway. In this proposal, we will elucidate the cellular environment that maintains
lung residency of memory B cells in asthmatic lungs and investigate their functions in airway hypersensitivity.
Specifically, in Aim 1, using in vivo depletion of circulating cells and parabiosis experiments we will verify the
tissue-residency of memory B cells in asthmatic lungs. We will identify the potential niches of lung-localized
memory B cells and examine the cellular environment responsible for their maintenance in the lungs using
cutting-edge imaging technologies. In Aim 2, we will inhibit recruitment of circulating B cells during re-challenge
and perform adoptive cell transfer of tissue-resident memory B cells to delineate the function of tissue-resident
memory B cells in airway hypersensitivity. In summary, we aim to shed light on the fundamental biology of
memory B cells in the respiratory tract and reveal their functions in airway hypersensitivity. This study may reveal
a crucial cell population that can be targeted to treat or prevent the progression of allergic asthma in humans.
This fellowship will provide the crucial support for the applicant to pursue a career as an independent investigator
in immunology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10684304
- **Project number:** 5F31HL156459-03
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexander James Nelson
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $3,017
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2023-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10684304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10684304, Local B cell memory in airway hypersensitivity. (5F31HL156459-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10684304. Licensed CC0.

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