Scientists have uncovered a novel cause for asthma, igniting optimism for treatments capable of thwarting this life-threatening condition.
A groundbreaking study by researchers at King’s College London reveals that many aspects of an asthma attack, including inflammation, mucus secretion, and damage to airway barriers, stem from mechanical constriction in a mouse model. Published in Science, this research sheds light on a previously overlooked mechanism, offering hope for targeted interventions to prevent asthma attacks.
Professor Jody Rosenblatt, lead author of the study, explains that the physical constriction during an asthma attack leads to widespread destruction of airway barriers. This damage increases the likelihood of long-term inflammation, impaired wound healing, and infections, perpetuating the cycle of asthma attacks. By understanding this fundamental mechanism, researchers aim to develop strategies to prevent these destructive events.
The study, which builds on over a decade of research, underscores the urgent need for novel treatments for asthma. Current medications primarily address symptoms by opening airways, reducing inflammation, and thinning mucus. While these treatments provide relief, they do not address the underlying cause of asthma attacks.
The researchers identified a process called cell extrusion as a key driver of airway damage during asthma attacks. By studying mouse lung models and human airway tissue, they found that bronchoconstriction, or airway narrowing, leads to the expulsion and subsequent death of epithelial cells lining the airways. This damage compromises the airway barrier, triggering inflammation and excessive mucus production.
In experimental mouse models, the researchers found that a chemical compound called gadolinium could prevent excessive cell extrusion and subsequent inflammation. While promising, gadolinium has not been tested in humans and its safety and efficacy remain uncertain.
Professor Rosenblatt emphasizes the importance of preventing airway damage to alleviate asthma symptoms. Unlike current therapies, which primarily address inflammation, interventions targeting airway damage could offer a more comprehensive approach to asthma management.
Collaborator Professor Chris Brightline from the University of Leicester highlights the significance of understanding epithelial extrusion in driving asthma symptoms. This newfound understanding could pave the way for innovative therapies targeting the underlying mechanisms of asthma attacks.
Dr. Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, welcomes the study’s findings, noting the urgent need for new treatments for asthma. With only a small fraction of public health funding allocated to lung conditions, research breakthroughs like this offer hope for improved asthma management and prevention.
The discovery of cell extrusion’s role in asthma may also have implications for other inflammatory diseases characterized by constriction, such as inflammatory bowel disease. This interdisciplinary research, funded by Welcome, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the American Asthma Foundation, opens new avenues for understanding and treating asthma and related conditions.