Asthma Research Breakthrough Holds Promise Of CureJuly 06, 1999New research has made a vital breakthrough in the understanding of how asthma is caused, bringing the possibility of treatments for its prevention and cure. One in seven children in the UK now suffer from asthma, and it is on the increase world-wide. Carried out at St George's Hospital Medical School in London, this collaborative study by scientists from the UK, North America and Australia, funded by the National Asthma Campaign, has demonstrated the role played by the House Dust Mite in the development of asthma allergy. People who are genetically susceptible to asthma develop allergies to house dust mites when they breathe in the mites' faeces, which contain digestive enzymes. Allergies develop to these enzymes, which are called allergens. It is the penetration of these allergens into lung tissue which can stimulate the body's immune system and trigger the development of asthma. For the first time, this research has shown how these house dust mite allergens penetrate the lung tissue, which is normally protected from foreign bodies by a protective lining. The allergens destroy the adhesive proteins, a sort of biological glue, that hold the cells of the airway together. This causes small pores to form in the lining, through which the allergen enters the lung tissue. These findings could prove crucial to the prevention and cure of asthma. Until now the events that occur in the lungs during an asthma attack were well understood, but not how asthma develops initially. This new work rectifies that problem and provides a major clue towards understanding how and why people develop asthma. Novel targets have been identified for the development of new drugs to control existing asthma, and the new insights herald the prospect of asthma prevention. Research team member, Professor David Garrod, of The University of Manchester, commented: "This is a very simple idea which offers great prospects for the prevention and treatment of asthma and other allergies." Ends Manchester, The University of |
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| Related Asthma Current Events and Asthma News Articles Exposures to metals and diesel emissions in air linked to respiratory symptoms in children Exposure shortly after birth to ambient metals from residential heating oil combustion and particles from diesel emissions are associated with respiratory symptoms in young inner city children. Exposure to both traffic, indoor pollutants puts some kids at higher risk for asthma later New research presents strong evidence that the "synergistic" effect of early-life exposure to both outdoor traffic-related pollution and indoor endotoxin causes more harm to developing lungs than one or the other exposure alone. Johns Hopkins researchers track down protein responsible for chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps A protein known to stimulate blood vessel growth has now been found to be responsible for the cell overgrowth in the development of polyps that characterize one of the most severe forms of sinusitis, a study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. Ancestry attracts, but love is blind People preferentially marry those with similar ancestry, but their decisions are not necessarily based on hair, eye or skin colour. Common plastics chemicals linked to ADHD symptoms Phthalates are important components of many consumer products, including toys, cleaning materials, plastics, and personal care items. Asthma a significant risk factor for complications in children with H1N1 A new study on pediatric H1N1 influenza admissions has found that asthma is a significant risk factor for severe disease in children with pandemic H1N1 compared with the seasonal flu. Mother's Depression a Risk Factor in Childhood Asthma Symptoms, Study Suggests Asthma symptoms can worsen in children with depressed mothers, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center published online in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Sweet -- sugared polymer a new weapon against allergies and asthma Scientists at Johns Hopkins and their colleagues have developed sugar-coated polymer strands that selectively kill off cells involved in triggering aggressive allergy and asthma attacks. Pivotal study for PSD502 -- the first potential treatment for premature ejaculation At the annual meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA), Inc. in San Diego, Sciele Pharma, Inc., a Shionogi Company and Plethora Solutions Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plethora Solutions Holdings PLC ("Plethora" - AIM:PLE)., today presented data from its second positive pivotal study of PSD502 for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE). Aileron collaborates study in Nature: Stapled peptides inhibit Notch1 transcription factor This research validates the potential for Stapled Peptides to modulate key intracellular biological targets, such as transcription factors, that have not been addressable with current small molecule or biologic drug modalities. More Asthma Current Events and Asthma News Articles |
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