<
https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-asthma-study-reveals-a-trigger-weve-never-noticed-before>
'More than 1,000 people die each day from asthma, a condition that restricts
the airway and prevents sufficient oxygen from getting where it's needed.
In addition to an asthma attack's tightening of the channels into the lungs,
inflammation of the lining and increased mucus production exacerbate the
problem for weeks or months at a time, putting people at risk of triggering
ongoing episodes.
Scientists have now shown for the first time how mechanical constriction of the
airways during an asthma attack overcrowds cells in the lining. These cells are
squeezed out and killed, which triggers inflammation, mucus secretion, and
airway barrier damage.
"Without this barrier, asthma sufferers are far more likely to get long-term
inflammation, wound healing, and infections that cause more attacks," says cell
biologist Jody Rosenblatt from King's College London, senior author of the new
study.
"By understanding this fundamental mechanism, we are now in a better position
to prevent all these events. Our discovery is the culmination of more than ten
years' work."
And they have a promising solution: a compound that blocks this squeezing out
of overcrowded cells – called epithelial extrusion – in the airway lining of
mice. Though its safety has yet to be tested in humans, Rosenblatt and her
colleagues from the US, UK, and Spain think this could lead to entirely new
approaches to preventing asthma attacks, not just treating inflammation.'
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
