Apoptosis, airway inflammation and anti-asthma therapy: from immunobiology to clinical application.
T lymphocyte apoptosis is essential for maintaining immune system homeostasis. Experimental evidence suggests apoptosis control mechanisms may be impaired in inflammatory conditions, particularly airway Th2-type allergic diseases. This review briefly examines the mucosal immune system homeostasis and common apoptotic pathways and discusses impaired apoptosis, allergy, airway inflammation, remodelling and fibrosis. Finally, the paper presents an update on pharmacological targeting of apoptosis to control airway inflammation in patients with allergic asthma.
Spinozzi
Fabrizio
F
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
de Benedictis
Diletta
D
de Benedictis
F M
FM
D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins