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Immune dysregulation as a cause for allergic asthma
1Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque 87131-5301, USA.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
|May 17, 2000
Summary
Allergic asthma results from abnormal immune responses to inhaled allergens, specifically T helper 2 (Th2) cell responses. Research is exploring immune dysregulation in asthma, particularly in urbanized populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Allergic asthma is increasingly recognized as a Th2-mediated immune condition.
- Its rising prevalence in urban settings suggests a link to environmental factors and immune dysregulation.
- Understanding normal versus dysregulated immune responses to airway allergens is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent human studies on immune dysregulation leading to the asthma phenotype.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of allergic asthma.
- To provide insights into normal and abnormal immune responses to inhaled allergens.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent human studies on immune responses in allergic asthma.
- Inclusion of selected relevant studies from experimental animal research.
- Focus on immune dysregulation and the asthma phenotype.
Main Results:
- Allergic asthma is characterized by Th2-mediated immune responses to allergens.
- Immune dysregulation plays a key role in the development of asthma.
- Environmental factors in urbanized cultures may influence asthma prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Immune dysregulation is central to the development of allergic asthma.
- Further research into normal and abnormal immune responses is needed.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform prevention and treatment strategies.