Allergy and asthma: distinguishing the causes from the triggers. An eye model for the study of inflammatory events following allergen challenge.
The study of the late-phase reaction to allergen challenge has greatly contributed to increasing understanding of the relationship existing between immunoglobulin E (IgE) triggering, allergic inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity, as well as to changing our concept from "causes" to "triggers" of asthma. This paper reviews personal studies on a model of conjunctival provocation in allergic subjects. These studies represent the first evidence of a late-phase reaction in the human eye and contribute to a better knowledge of the network of cells and mediators involved in allergic inflammation which are responsible for heightened bronchial reactivity in allergic asthma.
Bonini
S
S
Andrea Cesalpino Foundation, Institute of Clinica Medica, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Adriani
E
E
Bonini
S
S
De Petrillo
G
G
Loggi
G G
GG
Adabbo
A
A
Pani
M
M
Balsano
F
F
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006109:Poaceae