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The relationship between bronchial immunopathology and hyperresponsiveness in asthma
L W Poulter1, C Power, C Burke
1Dept of Immunology, Royal Free Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
The European Respiratory Journal
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Asymptomatic asthma patients show chronic T-cell immune responses in bronchial tissue, correlating with heightened bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This suggests T-cell activity may predispose individuals to asthma symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.
- The underlying immunological mechanisms in asymptomatic asthma require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immunopathological parameters in the bronchial tissue of asymptomatic asthma patients.
- To explore the relationship between cellular infiltrates, HLA-DR expression, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Bronchial biopsies were obtained from 15 asthma patients and 6 controls.
- Histological staining and monoclonal antibody techniques identified immune cell subsets and activation markers.
- Microdensitometry quantified HLA-DR expression, correlated with lung function tests.
Main Results:
- All asthma patients exhibited mononuclear cell infiltrates with activated T-cells and macrophages.
- Elevated HLA-DR expression was observed in asthmatic airways.
- A significant correlation was found between HLA-DR expression levels and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Conclusions:
- A chronic T-cell-mediated immune response is present in asymptomatic asthma.
- Increased HLA-DR expression on infiltrating cells correlates with bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
- T-cell responses may contribute to the predisposition to airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma.