# The function of MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons in the airway

> **NIH NIH R01** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $382,545

## Abstract

Project Summary
Asthma is a serious health and economic concern worldwide. Recent studies indicate the role of vagal sensory
neurons in the pathogenesis of asthma; however, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are unclear.
Recently we found that MrgprC11, a previously identified itch receptor in the skin nerves, is expressed in a subset
of vagal sensory neurons innervating the airway. Bam8-22, a potent agonist of MrgprC11, induces cholinergic
bronchoconstriction in WT mice, but not in knockout mice in which MrgprC11 was deleted. Administration of
Bam8-22 can also enhance airway sensitivity to bronchoconstrictors in the absence of airway inflammation,
suggesting the role of MrgprC11+ neurons in airway hyperresponsiveness. We have generated a BAC transgenic
mouse line MrgprC11CreER to express inducible Cre DNA recombinase in MrgprC11+ neurons. In this proposal, we
will use molecular, cellular, immunohistochemical and genetic approaches combined with a novel calcium
imaging technique to elucidate the function of MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons in the airway and investigate
their role in asthma. Aim 1 will focus on the anatomical analysis of the axonal innervation pattern of MrgprC11+
vagal sensory neurons using genetic labeling tools. In Aim 2, we will identify the endogenous/exogenous
agonists for MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons to characterize the physiological properties of these neurons. In
Aim 3, we will determine the contribution of MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons in a mouse allergic asthma model.
We will test our hypothesis that MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons exhibit hypersensitivity in allergic airway
inflammation and play a role in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. These studies will advance our
understanding of the neural basis underlying asthma symptoms and will have significant impact on the clinical
treatment of asthma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9903443
- **Project number:** 5R01HL141269-03
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Liang Han
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $382,545
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9903443

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9903443, The function of MrgprC11+ vagal sensory neurons in the airway (5R01HL141269-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9903443. Licensed CC0.

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