The Impact of Early-Life Exposure to Air-borne Environmental Insults on the Function of the Airway Epithelium in Asthma.
The airway epithelium is both a physical barrier protecting the airways from environmental insults and a significant component of the innate immune response. There is growing evidence that exposure of the airway epithelium to environmental insults in early life may lead to permanent changes in structure and function that underlie the development of asthma. Here we review the current published evidence concerning the link between asthma and epithelial damage within the airways and identify gaps in knowledge for future studies.
School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: kirsten.spann@qut.edu.au.
Kirsten
K
Spann
Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
Natale
N
Snape
Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
Engin
E
Baturcam
Children's Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
Emmanuelle
E
Fantino
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D012137:Respiratory System
D000393:Air Pollutants
air pollution; airway remodeling; allergens; asthma; early life; epithelium; immunity; virus