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Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

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The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more...
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Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

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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...
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Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
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Asthma-I: Introduction01:29

Asthma-I: Introduction

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Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
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Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

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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.
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Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

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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:
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

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The microbiome and asthma.

Yvonne J Huang1, Homer A Boushey

  • 11 Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care/Sleep and Allergy/Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Annals of the American Thoracic Society
|January 21, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The bronchial microbiome, not sterile, differs in asthma. Early life gut microbiome influences immune responses, potentially explaining both allergic sensitization and asthma development via a common mucosal immune system.

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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • The bronchial airways harbor a distinct microbiome, challenging the notion of sterility.
  • Asthma is linked to alterations in this bronchial microbiome composition.

Discussion:

  • Investigating whether microbial differences directly cause airway pathology or reflect systemic immune shifts from early gut microbiome development.
  • Proposing a unified model integrating gastrointestinal and bronchial microbiome influences on immune system development.

Key Insights:

  • A common mucosal immune system links gut microbiome variations to systemic immune function.
  • Early gut microbiome influences systemic immunity, predisposing to allergic sensitization.
  • Similar immune dysregulation may lead to impaired airway infection response, driving asthma inflammation.

Outlook:

  • Further research into the interplay between early-life microbial exposures and immune maturation is crucial.
  • This model provides a framework for understanding the overlapping yet distinct pathways of allergic sensitization and asthma.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome could offer novel approaches for asthma prevention and treatment.