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Innate Immunity and Asthma

¹ University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California; and ² VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Patricia W. Finn, M.D., University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive # 0643, La Jolla, CA 92093-0643. E-mail: pwfinn{at}ucsd.edu

ABSTRACT

Asthma remains a major health problem worldwide that has increased in developed countries. Much of the focus in asthma research in the past has been on adaptive, antigen-dependent immune responses. Recent work suggests that the innate, non–antigen-dependent immune system plays a critical role in asthma pathogenesis. Here we will highlight innate receptors and cells in the context of allergic responses. Reviewing animal models and human studies, we focus on interactions of innate and adaptive immunity.

Key Words: lung • airway disease • immunology • inflammation