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Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations

Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma-I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

Published on: June 2, 2011

Neutrophils in asthma.

Ana L Macdowell¹, Stephen P Peters

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Immunological Diseases, Wake Forest University, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. amacdowe@wfubmc.edu

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

|November 8, 2007

Summary

Neutrophils, not just eosinophils, play a key role in asthma inflammation. These cells are activated and release mediators that worsen asthma symptoms, suggesting they are central to the disease.

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Immunology
Inflammation Research

Background:

Asthma is a complex respiratory disease characterized by significant airway inflammation.
While eosinophils are typically associated with allergic diseases, they do not fully account for the inflammation observed in asthma.
Other immune cells, such as neutrophils, are increasingly recognized for their role in asthma pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of neutrophils in asthma.
To understand how neutrophils contribute to airway inflammation and asthma symptoms.
To investigate neutrophils as potential therapeutic targets in specific asthma phenotypes.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature on asthma and neutrophil involvement.

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A Method for Generating Pulmonary Neutrophilia Using Aerosolized Lipopolysaccharide

A Method for Generating Pulmonary Neutrophilia Using Aerosolized Lipopolysaccharide

Published on: December 15, 2014

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Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

Published on: June 2, 2011

Label-free Neutrophil Enrichment from Patient-derived Airway Secretion Using Closed-loop Inertial Microfluidics

Label-free Neutrophil Enrichment from Patient-derived Airway Secretion Using Closed-loop Inertial Microfluidics

Published on: June 7, 2018

A Method for Generating Pulmonary Neutrophilia Using Aerosolized Lipopolysaccharide

A Method for Generating Pulmonary Neutrophilia Using Aerosolized Lipopolysaccharide

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Analysis of studies investigating neutrophil presence and activation in asthma patients.

Examination of the mediators released by neutrophils and their impact on airway inflammation.

Main Results:

Neutrophils are present in the airways of asthma patients, particularly in certain phenotypes.
Activated neutrophils release mediators that can promote and prolong asthma symptoms.
Evidence suggests neutrophils are key players in the pulmonary inflammatory process of asthma.

Conclusions:

Neutrophils represent an important component of asthma pathophysiology beyond eosinophilic inflammation.
Understanding neutrophil involvement may lead to the identification of distinct asthma phenotypes.
Targeting neutrophil activity could offer new therapeutic strategies for managing asthma.