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Article in Japanese
Abstract
Topics Series Allergy, immunology and inflammation
Recent progress in understanding pathophysiology of asthma
Department of Hematology and Respiratory Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University
ABSTRACT
Eosinophilic asthma is assumed to be caused by airway inflammation driven by Th2-like responses. Although these responses are predominantly mediated by Th2-type T cells, recent studies revealed a novel pathway: innate Th2 responses in the absence of Th2 cells. The eosinophilic asthma driven by Th2 cells is sensitive, but that by innate Th2 response is refractory to corticosteroids. Furthermore, there is noneosinophilic phenotype of asthma, which is associated with obesity and/or Th17. Recent studies suggested that airway remodeling could be caused not only by inflammation, but also by mechanical stress, such as contraction of airway smooth muscles. Asthma patients should be treated individually in consideration of these recent findings and clinical phenotypes based on the mechanisms mentioned above.
KEYWORDS
Eosinohilic inflammation Phenotype Mechanical stress Remodeling
AJRS, 3(2): 156-161, 2014
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