RESEARCH
Role of Immunity, Epigenome and Microbiome in Childhood Asthma Development
Binational Early Asthma and Microbiome Study (BEAMS)
This multi-PI study examines the impact of environmental (microbial) exposures on childhood asthma across the US/Mexico border. The Vercelli laboratory is assessing whether exposure to distinct environmental and endogenous microbes differentially shapes the asthma trajectory in US and Mexican children and relevant mouse models.
Funding: P01AI148104
This study shows that maternal prenatal immunity, neonatal trained immunity, and early airway microbiota shape childhood asthma development.
PMID: 35841380
Funding: R21AI133765
ministration of a Bacterial Lysate to the Airway Compartment Is Sufficient to Inhibit Allergen-Induced Lung Eosinophilia in Germ-free Mice. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. March 2024. Online ahead of print. PMID: 38470858
Microbial Products in Asthma Protection
This study shows the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which OM-85, a lysate of several bacterial strains commonly found in the human airways, provides protection against allergic asthma.
This work demonstrates that the OM-85 bacterial lysate suppresses SARS-CoV-2 infection of human epithelial cells by downregulating the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2.
Funding: OM Pharma, Geneva, Switzerland
Asthma Protection: Mechanisms and Agents
Role of γδ17 T Cells in Asthma Protection by Amish Farm Exposure
This study is using biochemical approaches and mouse models to dissect the environmental factors and host mechanisms responsible for asthma protection among traditional Amish dairy farmers.
PMID: 27518660
PMID:27959651
This project uses multiple and complementary in vivo approaches to explore the role of γδ17 T cells in the asthma-protective effects of farm dust exposure.
Funding: R21AI144722
Marques dos Santos M., V. Pivniouk, B. Rankl, A. Walker, G. Pagani, N. Hertkorn, P. Schmitt-Kopplin, C. Müller, F. Bracher, J. Merl-Pham, S.M. Hauck, M. Schloter, A.N. Michael, D. Anderson, L. Honeker, J. Gozdz, O. Pivniouk, M. Holbreich, F.D. Martinez, S.A. Snyder, E. von Mutius and D. Vercelli. Asthma-protective agents in dust fron traditional farm environments. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol.(2023)
Innate Immunity and Viral Infection in Asthma
This multi-PI Asthma and Airway Disease Clinical Research Center program investigates how innate immune pathways protect from asthma during viral infections. The Vercelli laboratory is examining the role of type 2 cytokines in protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.