# Interoceptors controlling airway constriction

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2024 · $499,158

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Asthma, characterized by airway inflammation, airflow obstruction, and airway hyperresponsiveness, is
an increasingly common inflammatory airway disease that affects 10% of the world's population. Given that anti-
inflammatory treatment only partially controls asthma symptoms, it is urgent to understand the involvement of
non-immune systems in the disease. Emerging evidence suggest that lung interoceptors, sensory nerves
monitoring the internal states, play a key role in the development of asthma symptoms. Our recent studies
discovered that MrgprC11+ jugular sensory neurons control cholinergic bronchoconstriction and airway
hyperresponsiveness. Ablation of MrgprC11+ neurons reduced airway hyperresponsiveness without affecting the
allergic inflammation in a mouse asthma model. Furthermore, our preliminary data suggest that asthmatic
cytokines modulate the neuronal activity of MrgprC11+ neurons and sensitize cholinergic bronchoconstriction. In
this proposal, we will use Cre-dependent labeling, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and mouse airway mechanic
analysis combined with a novel calcium imaging technique to investigate how MrgprC11+ neurons contribute to
airway hyperresponsivness in asthma. Aim 1 will focus on the transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis of
MrgprC11+ neurons in asthma to understand how lung interoceptors respond to allergic airway inflammation.
Aim 2 will investigate how the airway inflammation modulates the electrophysiological properties of MrgprC11+
neurons and changes the neuronal responses of airway-innervating nerves. In Aim 3, we will investigate the
neuro-immune interactions between MrgprC11+ nerves and asthmatic cytokines and examine if these
interactions contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness. These studies will reveal novel neural mechanisms
controlling asthma symptoms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10856495
- **Project number:** 1R01HL173002-01
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Liang Han
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $499,158
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-04-01 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10856495

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10856495, Interoceptors controlling airway constriction (1R01HL173002-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10856495. Licensed CC0.

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