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Published on: August 7, 2017
Inflammatory mechanisms linking maternal and childhood asthma
Katie M Lebold1, David B Jacoby1, Matthew G Drake1
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Maternal asthma during pregnancy increases childhood asthma risk by exposing the fetus to inflammation. This review explores how maternal asthma impacts fetal lung and immune development, creating an "asthma signature" in children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease impacting lung function and quality of life.
- Childhood asthma has numerous risk factors, including genetic and environmental influences.
- Uncontrolled maternal asthma during pregnancy elevates offspring's asthma risk, independent of genetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of maternal asthma in childhood asthma development.
- To present maternal asthma as a modifiable risk factor for childhood asthma.
- To discuss mechanisms linking maternal inflammation to increased asthma risk in offspring.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on maternal asthma and childhood asthma.
- Analysis of mechanisms involving in utero exposure to maternal inflammation.
- Examination of effects on fetal lung and immune system development.
Main Results:
- Maternal asthma in utero exposure shapes fetal airway structural development, including nerves.
- Maternal type-2 cytokines (e.g., IL-5) activate the fetal immune system.
- Altered lung and immune cell development influence later responses to aero-allergens.
Conclusions:
- Maternal asthma establishes a unique airway
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