Jennifer Leigh Ingram

Dr. Ingram's research interests focus on the study of airway remodeling in human asthma. Proliferation, migration, and invasion of airway fibroblasts are key features of airway remodeling that contribute to diminished lung function over time. Dr. Ingram uses molecular biology approaches to define the effects of interleukin-13 (IL-13), a cytokine abundantly produced in the asthmatic airway, in the human airway fibroblast. She has identified important regulatory functions of several proteins prevalent in asthma that control fibroblast growth and pro-fibrotic growth factor production in response to IL-13. By understanding these pathways and their role in human asthma and the chronic effects of airway remodeling, novel treatment strategies may be developed.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor in Medicine · 2021 - Present Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Medicine

Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery · 2020 - Present Surgery, Surgical Sciences, Surgery

Associate Professor in Pathology · 2021 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments

Recent Publications

Dysregulated alveolar type 2 epithelial cell proteostasis promotes fibrogenic macrophage migration inhibitory factor-CD74 signaling.

Journal Article Sci Transl Med · December 3, 2025 Aberrant proteostasis in alveolar type 2 epithelial cells (AEC2s) contributes to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is unclear. Here, we show that UPS disruption in AEC2s amplifies profibrotic signali ... Full text Link to item Cite

Short-term impact of bariatric surgery on systemic inflammation in patients with asthma.

Journal Article Respir Med · December 2025 BACKGROUND: The systemic inflammatory environment in obesity contributes to increased asthma symptoms and diminished asthma control. Asthma patients that have undergone bariatric surgery report significant improvements in asthma symptoms and medication use ... Full text Link to item Cite

Obesity-driven airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia in asthma.

Journal Article J Asthma · September 2025 OBJECTIVE: Asthma patients with comorbid obesity tend to have more severe, difficult-to-control asthma than lean asthma patients. This increase in asthma severity may be due, in part, to obesity-related adipokines, such as leptin, which contribute to airwa ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

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Education, Training & Certifications

North Carolina State University · 2000 Ph.D.

Jennifer Leigh Ingram

Overview

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Recent Publications

Dysregulated alveolar type 2 epithelial cell proteostasis promotes fibrogenic macrophage migration inhibitory factor-CD74 signaling.

Short-term impact of bariatric surgery on systemic inflammation in patients with asthma.

Obesity-driven airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia in asthma.

Recent Grants

Role of Protein S-Palmitoylation in TGFbeta Signaling and Fibrotic Lung Disease

Duke Program of Training in Pulmonary ReSearch to Promote, Engage and Retain Academic Researchers (PROSPER)

Research Training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Education, Training & Certifications