Airway smooth muscle signaling
Defining how GPCRs, calcium dynamics, lipid signaling, and the contractile cytoskeleton control airway narrowing and hyperresponsiveness.
GPCRs · Calcium · ContractionTemple University · Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Decoding the mechanisms that drive airway disease.
We investigate airway smooth muscle signaling, asthma pathogenesis, airway remodeling, and inhaled toxicant injury to identify new therapeutic targets.
Airway smooth muscleGPCR signalingAsthma
Our focus
From receptor activation to airway narrowing, we study the molecular events that make breathing difficult. We use those mechanisms to uncover more precise therapies.
Our work moves across primary human cells, precision-cut lung slices, translational disease models, and clinical collaborations.
Research
Mechanisms that shape airway function
We connect fundamental airway biology with therapeutic discovery, keeping airway smooth muscle at the center of the program.
Asthma and airway remodeling
Resolving epithelial-mesenchymal signaling, inflammation, and structural plasticity that sustain chronic airway disease.
Asthma · AHR · RemodelingE3 ligases and therapeutic discovery
Identifying ubiquitin-pathway mechanisms and translating them into new strategies for targeted protein degradation in asthma.
E3 ligases · Ubiquitin · PROTACsInhaled toxicants and lung injury
Determining how e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and tire and road-wear particles disrupt airway homeostasis.
e-Cigarettes · HTPs · 6PPD-QSelected publications
Recent and representative work
2026Journal of Biological ChemistryE3 ligase RNF145 regulates airway smooth muscle cell proliferation via the PP2A-p70S6K signaling axis.2026ERJ Open ResearchAirway Smooth Muscle in Asthma: Insights from a Transcriptomic Meta-analysis.2026CellsIntegrating GPCR Regulation and Calcium Dynamics in Airway Smooth Muscle Function: A Comprehensive Review.2026Comprehensive PhysiologyMicro-Nano Plastics and 6-PPD-Q in Cardio-Pulmonary Health: Environmental Sources, Systemic Exposure, and Mechanistic Insights.2024Respiratory ResearchHeated tobacco product IQOS induces unique metabolic signatures in human bronchial epithelial cells.2021American Journal of Physiology-LungDiacylglycerol Kinase Inhibition Reduces Airway Contraction by Negative Feedback Regulation of Gq-Signaling.2019American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular BiologyAutophagy Activation in Asthma Airways Remodeling.2012British Journal of PharmacologyEpithelium-dependent Modulation of Responsiveness of Airways From Caveolin-1 Knockout Mice Is Mediated Through Cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-Lipoxygenase.2010Journal of Cell ScienceBeta-Dystroglycan Binds Caveolin-1 in Smooth Muscle: A Functional Role in Caveolae Distribution and Calcium Release.
People
A collaborative training environment
Pawan Sharma
Principal InvestigatorSaptarshi Roy
Associate ScientistVijaya K. Gangipangi
Postdoctoral FellowPravesh Sharma
Postdoctoral FellowRebecca Hancock
Lab ManagerMinh Lam
Graduate ResearcherUndergraduate and MD Student Researchers: Esha Malhotra, Mariza Merry, Sarah Sahotra, Zena Ibrahim, Saanvi Patel, and Ashera Khan.
Lab notes · 2026
Recognition, discovery, and trainee momentum.
RNF145 study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry
Pravesh Sharma receives the Runner-Up Poster Award at AHA BCVS 2026
Pawan Sharma recognized as a Fellow of the American Thoracic Society
Saptarshi Roy and Vijayakumar Gangipangi deliver oral presentations at ATS 2026; Gangipangi receives an ATS Abstract Award
Pravesh Sharma receives an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship
Join the Sharma Lab
Curious about how the airway works and how we can make it work better?
We welcome inquiries from motivated graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, and research collaborators.
pawan.sharma@temple.edu