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Updated: May 31, 2026
09:02
Infection of Primary Nasal Epithelial Cells Grown at an Air-Liquid Interface to Characterize Human Coronavirus-Host Interactions
Published on: September 22, 2023
Host epithelial-viral interactions as cause and cure for asthma
Michael J Holtzman1, Dhara A Patel, Yong Zhang
1Drug Discovery Program, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. holtzmanm@wustl.edu
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Respiratory viruses can trigger asthma development by affecting airway epithelial cells, a key part of innate immunity. Enhancing epithelial antiviral defenses may prevent viral-induced asthma and related inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Virology
Background:
- Asthma pathogenesis research traditionally focuses on genetic and adaptive immune factors.
- Emerging evidence highlights the role of innate immune cell responses to respiratory viruses in airway inflammation.
- The interaction between host airway epithelial cells and viruses is increasingly recognized as a critical factor.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of host airway epithelial cell-respiratory virus interactions in asthma development.
- To propose strategies for improving epithelial antiviral defenses to prevent respiratory virus-induced inflammatory airway diseases.
- To integrate epithelial cell-level innate immunity into the understanding of asthma pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on asthma pathogenesis and innate immunity.
- Analysis of the role of epithelial cells in antiviral responses.
- Conceptual framework development for epithelial antiviral defense enhancement.
Main Results:
- The interaction between airway epithelial cells and respiratory viruses is a critical determinant of asthma.
- Epithelial cell antiviral responses represent a significant aspect of innate immunity relevant to asthma.
- Targeting epithelial antiviral mechanisms offers a potential strategy for disease prevention.
Conclusions:
- Host airway epithelial cell-respiratory virus interactions are crucial in asthma pathogenesis.
- Improving epithelial antiviral defenses could prevent acute viral infections and chronic inflammatory lung diseases.
- This perspective broadens the understanding of asthma by emphasizing innate immunity at the epithelial barrier.
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