Can modification of either autologous or allogeneic immune cells allow effective treatment of blood diseases and infection with acceptable rates of toxicity?

What triggers decompensation of cellular and molecular pathways during exacerbations of chronic lung diseases?

How can the use of CAR T-cell and checkpoint blockade strategies be optimized in order to cure hematologic diseases?

What are the molecular and cellular responses in the lung that occur after environmental stimuli that predict homeostatic resilience or transition to disease, disorder, or aging?

It is essential to develop clinically viable, non-invasive, less expensive technologies for the surveillance of allograft rejection in heart transplant patients. Critical challenges that exist in the near term or long term surveillance after transplant is the unavailability of molecular and cellular level markers that can be non-invasively imaged and quantified detect rejection and thus improve patient survival. Development... more »

How do gene mutations in endoglin and alk 1 create arteriovenous malformations leading to disease. Alk 1 and endoglin are receptors in TGFB/BMP family signaling. TGFB/BMP have roles in vascular development, remodeling and maintenance in vascular integrity. Understanding the downstream effect will lead to advancements in reducing genetic diseases such as HHT as well as vascular malformations in general

We have done the best we can to mimic the human internal environment in vitro for the discovery, testing, and validation of therapeutics, but there is a critical need to do better. The use of more complex cell-based in vitro models is the result of the recognition of how little predictive power there is in current experimental conditions, even with animal models. With an in vitro environment that goes beyond temperature... more »

Cell therapies are produced in specialized facilities and the viability/function of the cells must be retained in order to permit transportation to the site of use, coordination with patient care, etc. Current options for preserving cells are limited. Conventional methods of cryopreservation may result in poor post thaw function and are difficult to use at the point of care. Liquid storage of cells is typically limited... more »

As the current chair of the Research and Training Division, I would like to convey that the AAAAI membership would like the NHLBI to consider the following in the development of its strategic plan:

 

What are the molecular and cellular responses in the lung that occur after environmental stimuli (including allergens) that predict homeostatic resilience or transition to atopic diseases?

Coronary artery disease (CAD), of which atherosclerosis is a major contributor, costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. While a number of conventional risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and hypertension have been associated with CAD, their predictive performance is poor in the prevention of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Despite the prevalence of ACS in our society, there are currently no molecular biomarkers... more »

NHLBI might consider creating incentives for the development of core labs and national facilities to promote development of animal and cellular model systems that mimic lung injury, repair, and regeneration.