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Related Concept Videos

Asthma I: Introduction01:28

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 Classification01:26

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 Management01:20

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: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
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...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

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:

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
10:39

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Published on: April 16, 2019

Natural killer cells in asthma.

Khalil Karimi1, Paul Forsythe

  • 1Institut für Experimentelle Immunologie und Hepatologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany ; Department of Medicine, Brain-Body Institute, McMaster University , Hamilton, ON , Canada.

Frontiers in Immunology
|June 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Natural killer (NK) cells may play a dual role in asthma, potentially promoting or reducing allergic airway inflammation. Further research is needed to clarify their function and therapeutic potential in asthma treatment.

Keywords:
airway inflammationasthmaasthma exacerbationnatural killer cellstherapeutic potential of NK cells

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Allergy Research

Background:

  • Asthma prevalence is increasing globally, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells, abundant in the lungs, have been largely overlooked as therapeutic targets in allergic airway diseases.
  • Existing evidence suggests NK cells may contribute to IgE-mediated allergic responses and promote airway inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diverse roles of NK cells in allergic airway disease.
  • To identify knowledge gaps regarding NK cell function in the lung.
  • To discuss the potential of modulating NK cell function for asthma treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on NK cells in allergic airway disease.
  • Analysis of animal models demonstrating NK cell involvement in allergic inflammation.
  • Examination of altered NK cell phenotypes in asthmatic patients.

Main Results:

  • NK cells can be activated by IgE, leading to cytokine/chemokine production, suggesting a role in allergic responses.
  • Animal studies show increased NK cells in the lung post-antigen challenge, and their depletion inhibits allergic inflammation.
  • Asthma patients exhibit altered NK cell phenotypes potentially promoting a pro-inflammatory Th2 environment.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells appear to have a complex role in allergic airway disease, with potential to both exacerbate and ameliorate inflammation.
  • Understanding the signals that dictate NK cell subset development and function in the lung is crucial.
  • Modulating NK cell function represents a potential therapeutic avenue for asthma, but requires further investigation.