The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Feb 2014
Measures of gene expression in sputum cells can identify TH2-high and TH2-low subtypes of asthma.
The 3-gene signature of periostin, chloride channel accessory 1 (CLCA1), and Serpin β2 (SERPINB2) in airway epithelial brushings is used to classify asthma into TH2-high and TH2-low endotypes. Little is known about the utility of gene profiling in sputum as a molecular phenotyping method. ⋯ IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 transcripts are easily detected in sputum cells from asthmatic patients, and their expression levels can be used to classify asthma into T(H)2-high and T(H)2-low endotypes.
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Puerto Rican children share a disproportionate burden of prematurity and asthma in the United States. Little is known about prematurity and childhood asthma in Puerto Rican subjects. ⋯ Our results suggest that atopy modifies the estimated effect of prematurity on asthma in Puerto Rican children. Prematurity might explain, in part, the high prevalence of atopic asthma in this ethnic group.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Feb 2014
Prostaglandin E₂ suppresses allergic sensitization and lung inflammation by targeting the E prostanoid 2 receptor on T cells.
Endogenous prostanoids have been suggested to modulate sensitization during experimental allergic asthma, but the specific role of prostaglandin (PG) E₂ or of specific E prostanoid (EP) receptors is not known. ⋯ We conclude that the PGE2-EP2 axis is an important endogenous brake on allergic airway inflammation and primarily targets T cells and that its agonism represents a potential novel therapeutic approach to asthma.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jan 2014
A simple asthma prediction tool for preschool children with wheeze or cough.
Many preschool children have wheeze or cough, but only some have asthma later. Existing prediction tools are difficult to apply in clinical practice or exhibit methodological weaknesses. ⋯ This tool represents a simple, low-cost, and noninvasive method to predict the risk of later asthma in symptomatic preschool children, which is ready to be tested in other populations.
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J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. · Jan 2014
Transient early wheeze and lung function in early childhood associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease genes.
It has been hypothesized that a disturbed early lung development underlies the susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Little is known about whether subjects genetically predisposed to COPD show their first symptoms or reduced lung function in childhood. ⋯ Our findings indicate relevant involvement of at least 3 COPD genes in lung development and lung growth by demonstrating associations pointing toward reduced airway caliber in early childhood. Furthermore, our results suggest that COPD genes are involved in the infant's lung response to smoke exposure in utero and in early life.