Clinical and Molecular Phenotypes of Severe Asthma

Our objectives are to define severe asthma phenotypes at the molecular and cellular level in order to predict prognosis, identify novel treatment targets, and guide targeted therapy. Our overarching hypothesis is that differences in clinical presentation, outcomes, and response to therapy in severe asthma are driven by: 1) distinct types of airway inflammation and remodeling developed and maintained by specific molecular pathways; 2) microbial colonization or infection; and 3) genetic/epigenetic factors. Aim 1 proposes a shared longitudinal protocol to identify and validate phenotypic characteristics of severe asthma based on underlying pathobiology and pathophysiology. This initial phase will be followed by a 2.5 year follow-up phase to document exacerbation frequency and rate of loss of lung function.

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