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Airway responses to inhaled allergens
1University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada. cockroft@sask.usask.ca
Canadian Respiratory Journal
|September 30, 1998
Summary
Inhaled allergens are now understood as fundamental causes of asthma, not just triggers. They induce airway inflammation and increase airway hyper-responsiveness, particularly through the late asthmatic response (LAR).
Area of Science:
- Allergy and Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Allergen inhalation recognized as an asthma cause since 1873.
- Late asthmatic response (LAR) demonstrated in 1952.
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) dependence of LAR established in the 1970s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving understanding of inhaled allergens' role in asthma.
- To highlight the significance of nonallergic airway hyper-responsiveness.
- To establish allergens as primary causes of asthma.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of immunological and clinical studies on asthma.
- Analysis of the relationship between allergen exposure, LAR, and airway responsiveness.
- Examination of allergen-induced airway inflammation.
Main Results:
- Nonallergic airway hyper-responsiveness identified as a key factor in asthma.
- Allergen exposure increases airway responsiveness, linked to LAR.
- Allergens recognized as causes of asthma, inducing inflammation and responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Inhaled allergens are fundamental causes of asthma.
- Understanding of allergen-induced asthma has evolved from simple triggers to primary causes.
- Airway hyper-responsiveness and inflammation are key mechanisms driven by allergens.