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08:05
Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma
Published on: May 14, 2012
Obesity and asthma: lessons from animal models
1Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA. sshore@hsph.harvard.edu
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|October 21, 2006
Summary
Obesity is a risk factor for asthma, as shown in mouse models. Understanding the link between obesity and asthma, particularly the role of adipokines, may offer new treatments for obese asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Metabolic disease
Background:
- Obesity is an established risk factor for asthma.
- Murine models of obesity (Ob/ob, db/db, Cpe(fat) mice) display innate airway hyperresponsiveness.
- These obese mouse models show exaggerated responses to asthma triggers like ozone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mechanisms linking obesity and asthma.
- To focus on the role of adipokines in this relationship.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for obese asthmatics.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data.
- Analysis of murine models of obesity and asthma.
- Discussion of proposed mechanistic links: common etiologies, comorbidities, mechanical factors, and adipokines.
Main Results:
- Obese mice exhibit inherent airway hyperresponsiveness.
- Obese mice show heightened responses to environmental asthma triggers.
- Adipokines, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, leptin, and adiponectin, are key factors.
Conclusions:
- The mechanistic link between obesity and asthma involves multiple factors, with adipokines playing a significant role.
- Further understanding of these mechanisms can inform novel therapeutic strategies.
- Targeting adipokines may offer a pathway for treating obese individuals with asthma.
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