Document Detail


The pathophysiology of asthma.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  89006     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Because postmortem studies of humans provide little information on the initial pathophysiologic events in asthma, animal models have been developed. Recently the Ascaris-allergic rhesus monkey has provided an opportunity to examine the onset of pathophysiologic changes following challenge and to correlate them with airway structure. These studies have suggested that the initial interaction between antigen and mast cells may occur in the bronchial lumen or in the epithelium superficial to the tight junctions, where a small but significant percentage of airway mast cells exist. It also appears that this initial antigen-antibody interaction results in the release of mediators that both stimulate the rapidly adapting stretch receptors in the mucosa and alter the mucosal barrier so that proteins of large molecular weight can penetrate. The fact that antigen challenge results in hyperresponsiveness to a subsequent dose of inhaled histamine and increased systemic absorption of histamine suggests that the airway hyperresponsiveness could be related to increased penetration of histamine into the bronchial wall. These observations suggest that the initial event in an acute asthmatic attack is the release of mediators from superficial mast cells, and that this amplifies the allergic response by altering the mucosal permeability so that more antigen reaches the submucosal mast cells. This altered permeability may also help explain the hyperreactivity of the airways to nonspecific airway stimulants in persons with asthma.
Authors:
J C Hogg; P D Par?; R C Boucher; M C Michoud
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Canadian Medical Association journal     Volume:  121     ISSN:  0008-4409     ISO Abbreviation:  Can Med Assoc J     Publication Date:  1979 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1979-10-26     Completed Date:  1979-10-26     Revised Date:  2010-06-22    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0414110     Medline TA:  Can Med Assoc J     Country:  CANADA    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  409-14     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Airway Resistance
Animals
Antigen-Antibody Reactions
Asthma / immunology,  physiopathology*
Bronchi / physiopathology
Cell Membrane Permeability
Disease Models, Animal
Haplorhini
Histamine Release
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Macaca mulatta
Mast Cells / immunology
Mechanoreceptors / physiopathology
Mucous Membrane / physiopathology
Reflex
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
37341-29-0/Immunoglobulin E
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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