title: Cellular mechanisms underlying eosinophilic and neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma.
abstract: Asthma is a phenotypically heterogeneous chronic disease of the airways, characterized by either predominant eosinophilic or neutrophilic, or even mixed eosinophilic/neutrophilic inflammatory patterns. Eosinophilic inflammation can be associated with the whole spectrum of asthma severity, ranging from mild-to-moderate to severe uncontrolled disease, whereas neutrophilic inflammation occurs mostly in more severe asthma. Eosinophilic asthma includes either allergic or nonallergic phenotypes underlying immune responses mediated by T helper (Th)2 cell-derived cytokines, whilst neutrophilic asthma is mostly dependent on Th17 cell-induced mechanisms. These immune-inflammatory profiles develop as a consequence of a functional impairment of T regulatory (Treg) lymphocytes, which promotes the activation of dendritic cells directing the differentiation of distinct Th cell subsets. The recent advances in the knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying asthmatic inflammation are contributing to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, potentially suitable for the implementation of future improvements in antiasthma pharmacologic treatments.
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Girolamo
authors: 0000-0001-9288-8913
authors: G
authors: Pelaia
authors: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Via Salvador Allende, Baronissi, 84081 Salerno, Italy.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Vatrella
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Maria Teresa
authors: MT
authors: Busceti
authors: Department of Health Science, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Gallelli
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, 2nd University of Naples, Via Leonardo Bianchi, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Calabrese
authors: Department of Health Science, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Terracciano
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors: Rosario
authors: 0000-0002-0210-6349
authors: R
authors: Maselli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines