Asthma Inflammatory Response Paper

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that impacts a person’s and their family’s quality of life. In people with asthma, their airway becomes constricted with swelling and excessive mucous. This constriction or narrowing of the airway makes it difficult for the person with asthma to breath (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009). If asthma is left uncontrolled, it leads to further wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, tiredness, and stress. (Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2009).

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways that is characterized by reversible airway obstruction, cellular infiltration, and airway inflammation. The response involves the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, as well as the activation of cells in the innate and adaptive immune systems.1 (Hall, S.C et al. 2016)

Dendritic cells are the antigen presenting cells (APCs). They play a key role in regulating the adaptive immune response. T cells can recognize the antigen only when they are processed and presented in the context of MHC molecules (type I or II) by the professional antigen presenting cells (APCs). DCs are referred to as professional APCs, since their main function is to present antigens, and only DCs have the unique ability to induce primary immune response in the resting naïve T cells which have not experienced the antigen before. DCs capture antigens, process them and present them on the cell surface in a form that T cell can recognize along with appropriate costimulatory molecules essential for effective activation. Other types of APCs include

At various stages of asthma, preventative measures can be used to control or alleviate the symptoms associated with this disease. Education is an important component to every intervention phase, particularly in primary prevention, because the patient is encouraged to be proactive with their personal health in order to avoid and control the triggers. Prescribed medication, such as an inhaler, and an action plan that is individualized to the specific care of a particular patient is essential in the secondary prevention phase. Finally, in the tertiary prevention phase, the care is directed not only at the common asthmatic symptoms and triggers but also at the complications that result from long-term suffering of this disease. This paper focuses on environmental factors which trigger asthma, with specific focus on children from infancy to 16 years of age in low-income housing, and how the appropriate measure can minimize the triggers and symptoms. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the example we will use.

binds with the surface IgE and mediators are released (Story, 2012). TH2 cells are involved

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways, which is comprised of tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. People who experience difficulties breathing have inflamed airways. The inflammation causes the tubes to swell and become sensitive, especially when inhaling strong substances. As a result, the airways tighten and the muscles around the tubes become swollen and narrower. In addition, cells in the airways might produce more mucus. This sticky and thick mucus makes it even more difficult for air to pass into the lungs.

Breathing is a vital process for every human. Normal breathing is practically effortless for most people, but those with asthma face a great challenge. During an asthma attack, breathing is hampered, making it difficult or even impossible for air to flow through the lungs. Asthma is an increasingly common problem, and has become the most common chronic childhood disease. At least 17 million Americans suffer from it(1), and although it can be fatal, it is usually not that severe(4). There is no cure for asthma, but with proper care, it can usually be controlled.

What are the effector cells for humoral and cellular immunity? What is their effect on immune response?

When visiting an asthmatic patient at home, it is important to monitor their environment. The home is a place where people spend the majority of their time and therefore can easily contribute to the exacerbation of asthma. While in the home environment, monitoring for mold, dust, pets, cigarette smoke or plants is important. The cleanliness of the home along with the sleeping environment can be good indicators as to the reasoning behind the patient’s condition. This is a good moment to teach the patient and family members ways to manage asthma based on the home environment. Explanation as to what irritants are is important. Visiting the home would also be a good time to observe the way in which the patient uses their inhaler along with other medications they may be using.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an inflammatory lung disease that is sometimes called extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Considering the disease also affects bronchioles, however, the name of HP seems more accurate and universally accepted (Quirce et al., 2016). HP, of which farmer’s lung was the earliest discovered, is induced by repeated inhalation of antigens in the sensitized population, and presents with allergic inflammation in the alveoli and bronchioles (Chmelik et al., 1974; Johansson et al., 2001). However, this kind of allergic response is NOT IgE-mediated as in the case of many allergic diseases. It should be borne in mind as the discussion of HP

When the person is first exposed to the dust (allergen) their body starts to produce an antibody called IgE, to attack the allergen. The antibodies attach to a form of blood cell called a mast cell. Mast cells can be found in the airways, in the intestines. The presence of mast cells in the airways and GI tract makes these areas more susceptible to allergen exposure. The allergens bind to the IgE, which is attached to the mast cell. This causes the mast cells to release a variety of chemicals into the blood, causes most of the symptoms of an allergic reaction

The airways present a large surface area constantly exposed to pathogens and toxic compounds/particulates which may cause harm to the organism were it to pass into the blood stream. To combat this, the airways have evolved a plethora of defence mechanisms shield against these attacking agents, namely the innate immune response. The respiratory epithelium is the most abundant cell type in the innate immune response. It provides a physical barrier to invasion, aided by the presence of the mucocilary blanket lining the epithelial cells. Pathogens trapped in this mucosal layer can be cleared mechanically by ciliary action, coughing and sneezing. This is further reinforced with a cellular response in the form of mononuclear phagocytes; such as monocytes,

A cardinal feature of atopic disease (AD) is an inappropriate biological hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli mediated by the immune cells (i.e. T lymphocytes, eosinophils and mast cells) as well as neuropeptides, cytokines and chemokines [3]. Asthma is an atopic disease with the dominant pathophysiology being an inappropriate inflammation of the airways [2]. It is a well established fact that the immune system and the stress system communicate through avenues such as hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters [2]. This communication means that these two systems have

Proposal Title: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells promote host defense against viral-induced asthma pathology via IRF7 expression

challenge, although the number of dendritic cells increased post-antigen challenge. Within the trachea, dendritic cells were found to extend dendritic projections under the airway epithelium but not into the airway lumen. Mast cells were found to probe the vasculature with the probing frequency increasing post-allergen challenge53. Whether intraluminal dendrite scanning employed by mast cells has other functional roles needs to be evaluated further.