Title:

"Controllability of Stress and Immune Mediation of Asthma"

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Harlan Jones, Ph.D.

Abstract:

The broad long-term goal of this project is to develop innovative and comprehensive modalities in improving health prevention for all. The studies proposed are intended to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of stress as it relates to the modulation of immune response involved in protection and pathogenesis of asthma. Respiratory-related disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a leading cause of hospitalization and absenteeism from work each year. Importantly, respiratory diseases including allergies, asthma, COPD and pneumonias afflict minority ethnic groups at a disproportionately higher rate than their white counterparts. For example approximately 3 times as many African Americans will die from complications due of asthma each year. Thus, while new innovative medical technologies for the treatment and prevention of respiratory disease and other disease are developed, it seems that not all populations are benefiting.

There is substantial evidence that exposure to stressful conditions can lead to altered behavior, including anxiety and depression which has also been linked to the progression of various disease states, including asthma. We propose to utilize an experimental rat model of asthma to investigate the role that stress has in altering immune responses in prevention and protection against asthma. We hypothesize that the ability to control stress will reduce the T cell-mediated mechanisms contributing to stressed-induced exacerbation of asthma. We anticipate that by identifying the mechanisms through which stress effects the immune-mediated responses involved in asthma, it will lead to biomarkers and insights to develop and improve novel modalities for respiratory-related and other diseases. Importantly, because stress is a major factor among disparity populations, we believe that by targeting stress and its role in respiratory disease will greatly help close the gap of health care disparities in the United States and worldwide.

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