Takes your breath away--the immunology of allergic alveolitis.
Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (synonym: hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by inhaling antigenic aerosols which induce hypersensitivity responses in susceptible individuals. It is an interstitial inflammatory disease affecting the distal, gas-exchanging parts of the lung, in contrast to allergic asthma where the inflammation is more proximal, affecting the conducting airways. The aims of this review are to describe current concepts of the immunology of this model of lung inflammation, to describe some of the constitutional and environmental characteristics which affect disease susceptibility and development, and to describe topics for prospective study.
McSharry
C
C
Department of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, North Glasgow Hospitals University NHS Trust, Glasgow, UK. cms4q@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Anderson
K
K
Bourke
S J
SJ
Boyd
G
G
D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines