What I would like to learn about the pathogenesis of asthma.
Recent asthma research has emphasized three important points. First, the disease is increasing in severity and probably in frequency. In the United States this increase is concentrated in the large metropolitan counties. Second, the disease formerly considered bronchospasm and bronchial hyperresponsiveness has become recognized as a particular kind of desquamating eosinophilic bronchitis. Third, helper T lymphocytes, particularly those that produce interleukins 3, 4, and 5 seem to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this inflammation. In this essay, I will expound on these points and speculate on their interpretation and where future research may be fruitful in providing better understanding of the disease. The ultimate goal is to suggest a theoretical basis for developing better treatment.
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Division of Allergic Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans