T-helper type 2-driven inflammation defines major subphenotypes of asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

T-helper type 2 (Th2) inflammation, mediated by IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, is considered the central molecular mechanism underlying asthma, and Th2 cytokines are emerging therapeutic targets. However, clinical studies increasingly suggest that asthma is heterogeneous.

Objectives

To determine whether this clinical heterogeneity reflects heterogeneity in underlying molecular mechanisms related to Th2 inflammation.

Methods

Using microarray and polymerase chain reaction analyses of airway epithelial brushings from 42 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma and 28 healthy control subjects, we classified subjects with asthma based on high or low expression of IL-13-inducible genes. We then validated this classification and investigated its clinical implications through

SUBMITTER: Woodruff PG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2742757 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature