Allergy and the Nervous System - ReadingSample

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the production of allergenspecific IgE antibodies, TH2 inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodeling. Airway remodeling represents the diseaselimiting stage during disease progression, and the underlying cellular molecular network resulting in airway remodeling are still poorly defined. In addition to the wellestablished TH2dependent inflammatory response, several lines of investigation reveal that this regulation in the peripheral central nervous system contributes to disease development, exacerbation and progression. Several members of the neurotrophin family (e.g. nerve growth factor, brainderived neurotrophic factor) are important transmitters of signals between the immune and the nervous system. Recent data indicate that NGF contributes to the development of airway remodeling in an inflammation and TGFindependent manner. These and other data open the opportunity to therapeutically interfere also on this level of regulation as a novel approach. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel Neurotrophins (NTs) comprise a family of homologous proteins, showing similarities in receptor utilization and activity. Initially identified for their critical role in promoting neuronal growth, survival and differentiation [1], there is growing evidence for an eminent role of NTs exceeding the nervous system. NTs, which are elevated systemically and locally in the lung during allergic asthma, serve as ‘trophic’ factors for different immune cells, including cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. They promote survival, proliferation and differentiation as well as mediator release by immune cells. Beyond this immunomodulatory role of NTs, a direct role in controlling structural cell activity during inflammation and repair process has been established. These findings implicate a critical role for NTs in deregulated and chronic inflammatory processes, which finally lead to tissue remodeling in allergic asthma. This chapter summarizes the knowledge of NTs in allergic asthma and remodeling processes in the chronic inflamed lung.