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Fungal Exposure and Asthma: IgE and Non-IgE-Mediated Mechanisms

Zhonghua Zhang1, Tiina Reponen2, Gurjit K Khurana Hershey3,4

  • 1Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., MLC 7037, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|December 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fungal exposure, even from fragments, is linked to asthma development and worsening. This review focuses on the immunological mechanisms driving this connection, highlighting fungi as potent immunomodulators.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Immunology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Fungi are widespread indoors and outdoors, linked to respiratory issues like asthma.
  • Studies show indoor fungal exposure contributes to asthma's onset, persistence, and exacerbation.
  • The precise mechanisms connecting mold exposure and asthma have been unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between fungal exposure and asthma.
  • To focus on the immunological mechanisms underlying this relationship.
  • To highlight fungi's role as immunomodulators in asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing human and animal studies.
  • Analysis of recent mechanistic research on fungal components.
  • Focus on immunomodulatory effects of fungi.

Main Results:

  • Fungi, including fragments and components, negatively impact health.
  • Fungal exposure is linked to asthma initiation, persistence, and exacerbation.
  • Fungi act as potent immunomodulators affecting asthma independently of antigenicity.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal exposure is a significant factor in asthma.
  • Immunological mechanisms, particularly immunomodulation, are key to understanding this link.
  • Further research into fungal immunomodulation is crucial for asthma management.
Keywords:
AsthmaChildhood asthmaExposureFungiMold

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