Role of microRNAs in T Cell-Driven Inflammation in Asthma
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2018-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This will be a single center study of asthmatic subjects and healthy controls which will
investigate mechanisms of asthma through detailed molecular analysis of airway tissues and
fluids. The primary goal will be investigate the role of microRNAs in Th2-driven inflammation
in asthma. The investigators hypothesize that asthma is associated with abnormal expression
of miRNAs in T cells which favors differentiation into Th2-cells. The investigators further
hypothesize that asthma is heterogeneous based on the presence and absence of Th2-driven
inflammation and that abnormalities in T cell miRNA expression will be most prominent in a
subgroup with high levels of Th2-driven inflammation (as assessed using molecular markers
that the investigators have previously established). Finally, the investigators hypothesize
that inhaled corticosteroids will normalize the T-cell miRNA abnormalities observed in
asthma, as corticosteroids treat Th2-driven inflammation. The samples collected will also
facilitate the pursuit of secondary analyses designed to investigate mechanisms of
inflammation and remodeling in asthma as well as molecular phenotypes of asthma.