Innate immune mechanism in allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by eosinophilic inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and mucus hypersecretion. Adaptive, antigen-dependent immunity is critical for asthma pathogenesis. Allergic asthma may involve adaptive and innate, antigen-independent immune responses. This review discusses the current evidence that associates innate immunity with allergic asthma pathogenesis. In particular, we focus on the role of innate immune cells (eg, bronchial epithelial cells, alveolar macrophages, and dendritic cells) and molecules (Toll-like and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors) in modifying allergic immune responses.