Biological Basis of Asthma and Allergic Disease Research Paper

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Introduction

Asthma is one of the immunological illnesses. Asthma and allergic disease belong to the same category of inflammatory illnesses, caused by abnormal responses of the immune system in the respiratory system. Asthma and allergic illnesses make up some of the current health issues across the world as many people are suffering from the illnesses. Scientists are yet to create a clear understanding of the chemicals responsible for triggering asthma and allergic disease (Johnson, 2013).

T-helper-2 initiates immunological responses in the respiratory system, and they lead to the development of asthma. T-helper-2 originates from the CD4+ cells, and it is responsible for stimulating the production of mucus in the respiratory system. The T-helper-2 causes excessive production of mucus in the respiratory system, and it also causes the muscles in the system to become hyperactive. This leads to the development of asthma, which involves the inability of the victim to breathe normally.

The air passages in the respiratory system fill up with mucus, and the hyperactivity of the muscles makes it difficult for the victim to control breathing. Victims have access to limited air in their lungs. Researchers have identified that immune responses caused by the T-helper-2 have a link with both asthma and allergic reactions. The production of the Th2 initiates when the victim gets in contact with allergens, contaminated air, and other infections (Umetsu & DeKruyff, 2006).

T-helper-2 and asthma

Asthma is characterized by abnormal inflammation in the respiratory cells because of the T-helper-2 response in the cells. Non-asthmatic people can inhibit TH2 response; hence, their respiratory system is not affected by allergens and other infections that may lead to asthma attacks. When asthmatic people get into contact with some particles in the air they breathe, their CD4+ cells respond by releasing Th2 cells, which cause inflammation in the cells within the respiratory system.

In the normal immunological responses, regulatory T-cells are released to counter the effects of the Th2 cells; thus, preventing inflammation. Cytokine IL-10 plays a big role in causing an anti-inflammatory effect on the cells. The immunological response in asthmatic people fails in the regulation of the production of the Th2 cells and the anti-inflammatory cells (Johnson, 2013).

The breakdown in immunological response happens every time asthmatic people come into contact with infections and allergens because their system is configured to respond without the production of the anti-inflammatory cells. Treating asthma involves administering medications that trigger the attainment of a balance between the production of the Th2 and cytokine cells (Lloyd & Hawrylowicz, 2009).

Studies

Various researchers from different institutions across Southampton undertook a joint study to identify the roles of different T- cells in the immune system. The researchers were particularly interested in finding out the role played by Th17, Th2, and Th1 among several other cells. The researchers used a sample space of 84 participants.

The participants went through various experiments aimed at detecting the release of T-cells, and the effects they had on other cells. The findings revealed that Th2 plays a big role in causing inflammatory effects in the respiratory system of asthmatic people. The researchers also found out that some of the T-cells like the Th17 have limited roles in causing asthma (Staples et al., 2013).

Researchers from various institutes developed a study to investigate the role of IL-25 in angiogenesis. IL-25 is a type 2 T-helper cell, and the scientists hypothesized that it was an integral part of the chemicals that trigger angiogenesis in the respiratory system of asthmatic people. The researchers acquired human vascular endothelial cells from tissue culture processes, which they used to conduct various experiments aimed at revealing the role of IL-25. Their findings revealed that asthmatic people have an elevated amount of IL-25, which takes part in triggering angiogenesis. The IL-25 increases the number of VEGF endothelial cells through some pathways (Corrigan et al., 2011).

Application of the studies

Asthma and allergic diseases are closely related illnesses, and the studies on Th2 cells are a recommendation made by researchers in the immunology field (Johnson, 2013). Understanding the roles played by specific T-helper-2 cells is important for experts in the field to develop the most feasible interventions to regulate immunological responses. The research work conducted by researchers from various institutions in Southampton confirmed that Th2 cells play a big role in causing inflammatory reactions in asthma patients, and this reaction is related to various allergic illnesses.

This information is important because it moves scientists a step closer to pinpointing the chemicals responsible for asthma. The study on IL-25 singled out one of the Th2 cells to reveal its role in asthmatic patients. The findings can apply in the development of drugs that inhibit the functions of the IL-25. Studies in the future should focus on developing a better understanding of the T-helper-2 cells to reveal the specific cells that cause inflammatory reactions in asthma and allergic disease (Corrigan et al., 2011).

References

Corrigan, C. J., Wang, W., Meng, Q., Fang, C., Wu, H., Reay, V., & Ying, S. (2011). T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) memory T cell-potentiating cytokine IL-25 has the potential to promote angiogenesis in asthma. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(4), 1579-1584.

Johnson, M. D. (2013). Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education.

Lloyd, C. M. & Hawrylowicz, C. M. (2009). Regulatory T cells in Asthma. Journal of Immunity, 31(3), 438-449.

Staples, K. J., Mansour, S., Smith, C., Ward, J. A., Howarth, P. H., Gadola, S., & Hinks, T. S. (2013). A Comprehensive Characterisation Of Canonical T Helper Cells, Cytotoxic T Cells And Novel Invariant T Cell Phenotypes In Human Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 187, A3770.

Umetsu, D. T. & DeKruyff, R. H. (2006). The regulation of allergy and asthma. Immunological Reviews, 21(2), 238-255.

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