# Development of B cell memory in allergic asthma

> **NIH NIH R01** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2024 · $445,219

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs without cure. Repetitive allergen exposure in the
airway leads to the generation of pathogenic immune memory and the excessive production of allergen specific
IgE antibodies that mediate inflammation, airway constriction and respiratory distress in patients with allergic
asthma. Memory B cells are a key component of immune memory. The phenotypic and functional heterogeneity
of MBCs affords their differential antibody responses as well as impact their trafficking, tissue retention and ability
to disseminate systemically. In a mouse model of allergic lung inflammation, we have observed stable lung-
localized MBCs and evidence for the generation of pathogenic antibody responses in sensitized lungs. We
hypothesize that after local antigen sensitization, the lung acquires immune functions reminiscent of those in
secondary lymphoid tissues, capable of maintaining long-lived memory B cells as well as generating new MBCs
that can recirculate and disseminate in other tissues to mediate systemic allergic inflammation. In this study, we
will 1) probe the development of memory B cells (MBCs) in allergic lungs including in-depth characterization of
the critical MBC subset that contributes to allergen specific IgE response, and 2) how these MBCs disseminate
systemically. We will also 3) explore strategies to intercept the systemic dissemination of pathogenic MBCs to
halt the progression of allergic inflammation. These studies will advance our fundamental understanding of
memory B cells as well as help devise new therapeutic strategies for allergic asthma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10840920
- **Project number:** 5R01HL165120-03
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Yee Ling Wu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $445,219
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-06-15 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10840920

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10840920, Development of B cell memory in allergic asthma (5R01HL165120-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10840920. Licensed CC0.

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