Abstract

Knowledge about the immunological mechanisms underlying asthma bronchiale is a prerequisite for development of new (causal) interventions. A large number of studies has proven asthma to be a complex disease with subtypes with different immunological features. Cytokines and chemokines, which are secreted by immune cells as well as structural cells play an important role not only in maintenance and amplification but have significant impact in the initiation of pulmonary inflammations – the asymptomatic sensitization phase. This article describes important immunological mediators in the context of the pulmonary sensitization phase. Moreover chances and constraints of intervention strategies aiming at these mediators are discussed. Several new aspects like classification of immunological phenotypes in bronchial asthma for individualized strategies and taking the sensitization phase into account, reveal possible targets among both “old acquaintances” like IL-4 and newly identified mediators (e.g. IL-17, IL-33).

German version published in Allergologie, Vol. 35, No. 9/2012, pp. 446-453

Author Details

Authors

• M. Albrecht
• A.-M. Dittrich

Departments

• Nachwuchsgruppe SFB
• ⁵ 
• ⁸ 
• ⁷ ; Pädiatrische Pneumologie, Allergologie und Neonatologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Address

Dr. phil. nat. Melanie Albrecht
AG Dittrich – SFB 587
I10-02-7380
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1
D-30625 Hannover
Email: [email protected]

Citation