Patient description: The patient is a 15-year-old boy with asthma diagnosed a year ago. He presents with shortness of breath, chest tightening and cough. According to his mother, he didn't respond to the usual corticosteroid inhaler. He was admitted to the emergency department with diagnosis of severe asthma exacerbation. He is a candidate for general corticosteroid therapy. Spirometry revealed a forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 60% of the predicted. His past medical history is non-significant. His family history is significant for asthma in his mother and his uncle. He used to be treated with combination of inhaled corticosteroids and Zafirlukast.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-45.0,  Asthma Age range 18-45 years, inclusive FEV1 of at least 80% of predicted and FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio of at least 0.7 (without use of bronchodilator medications for 12 hours or long acting beta agonists for 24 hours), consistent with lung function of persons with no more than mild episodic or mild persistent asthma Physician diagnosis of asthma Positive methacholine inhalation challenge as performed in the separate screening protocol within the prior 12 months (defined as provocative concentration of methacholine of 10 mg/mL or less producing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20 methacholine) Allergic sensitization to house dust mite (D. farinae) as confirmed by positive immediate skin prick test response Clinical reactivity to D. farinae assessed through inhaled allergen challenge with a decline in FEV1 of ≥20% from baseline in the early asthmatic response and ≥15% in the late asthmatic response Negative pregnancy test for females who are not s/p hysterectomy with oophorectomy or who have not been amenorrheic for 12 months or more Oxygen saturation of >94% and blood pressure within the following limits: (Systolic between 150-90 mmHg, Diastolic between 90-60 mmHg) Ability to provide an induced sputum sample Negative intracutaneous tuberculin skin test (PPD) defined as less than 5mm induration for the purpose of this protocol (positive PPD contraindication to anakinra injection). A negative tuberculosis (TB) test within the past year (either PPD or quantiferon TB Gold) is also acceptable  Clinical contraindications Any chronic medical condition considered by the PI as a contraindication to participation in the study including significant cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic renal disease, chronic thyroid disease, history of chronic infections or immunodeficiency Pregnancy or nursing a baby History of latex allergy/sensitivity Allergy/sensitivity to anakinra or its formulation Physician directed emergency treatment for an asthma exacerbation within the preceding 12 months Exacerbation of asthma more than 2x/week which could be characteristics of a person of moderate or severe persistent asthma as outlined in the current NHLBI guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma Daily requirements for albuterol due to asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, chest tightness) which would be characteristic of a person of moderate or severe persistent asthma as outlined in the current NHLBI guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma (not to prophylactic use of albuterol prior to exercise) Viral upper respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks of challenge Any acute infection requiring antibiotics within 4 weeks of exposure or fever of unknown origin within 4 weeks of challenge