Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Asthma during pregnancy alters immune cell profile and airway epithelial chemokine release
Annette Osei-Kumah1, Peter A B Wark, Roger Smith
1Department of Endocrinology, Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Locked Bag 1, Hunter Regional Mail Centre, Newcastle, NSW, 2310, Australia. annette.osei-kumah@adelaide.edu.au
Objective:
Pregnancy can influence the course of maternal asthma, but the mechanisms are presently unknown. The aim of the present study was to access maternal immune cell profiles in the presence and absence of asthma and to determine the effect of pregnancy-derived factors on epithelial cell function.
Methods:
Cells from the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B were treated with plasma from pregnant or nonpregnant asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects. Cell culture supernatants were collected after 24 h and assayed for IL-6, IL-8, eotaxin, RANTES and sICAM-1 protein using ELISA. Maternal immune cell count and peripheral blood chemotactic response to plasma from pregnant and non-pregnant asthmatic subjects were also assessed.
Results:
The presence of maternal asthma during pregnancy was associated with increased monocyte and neutrophil numbers, increased BEAS-2B cell production of IL-8 and sICAM-1 (P < 0.05) and increased chemotactic capacity relative to pregnant women without asthma.
Conclusion:
The results of this study suggest that circulating pregnancy-related factors enhance chemotactic mediators in epithelial cells in the presence of asthma. This may be one mechanism that contributes to pregnancy-induced changes in asthma.
Related Concept Videos
Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
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 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.
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
