title: Immune responses to viral infections: relevance for asthma.
abstract: Severe respiratory viral infections in childhood are associated with the development of asthma later in life. Rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus are of particular importance as triggers of asthma. Effects of virus infection on dendritic cell function in the airways may predispose children to allergic sensitization. Asthmatic subjects may have impaired interferon responses to viral infection that also predispose to allergic sensitization. Difference in Toll-like receptor expression on airway epithelial cells is a potential mechanism for the altered immune responses of asthmatic children.
authors.affiliation: Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. james.martin@mcgill.ca
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Sana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Muhannad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassan
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051193:Toll-Like Receptors