Early Life Infections and Asthma Risk

Question 1

What are some factors influencing atopy and asthma development

Answer 1

• Genetics
• Maternal Factors
  
  • Mode of delivery
  • Diet
  • Antibiotic use
• Baby
  
  • Microbiome
  • Infections
  • antibiotics
  • Vaccination
• Environment
  
  • Family size
  • Hygeine hypothesis

Question 2

Outline the innate and adaptive response to HDM Der p

Answer 2

• Innate
  
  • CCL2/20 and TSLP
    
    • Recruits and activates dendritic cells
  • IL-25 and IL-33
    
    • Activation of ILC2
• Adaptive
  
  • Dendritic cells activate Th2 and B cells
  • Afinity maturation

Question 3

Describe the structure of IL-33

Answer 3

• 3 Domains
  
  • Nuclear localisation domain
  • Protease sensor
  • Cytokine Domain (IL-1-like)

Question 4

How does IL-33 get activated and through what receptor does it exert its effects on

Answer 4

• Cleavage at protease sensor domain by elastase and caspases
• Acts on ST2 receptor on ILC2, Mast cell, Basophils, eosinophils

Question 5

Infection is thought to lead to asthma - decribe two ways in which this could happen in a neonate/infant

Answer 5

Question 6

Neonates are mostly born with normal lungs. With regards to this pathway, explain a possible mechanism that leads to weak lungs

Answer 6

• Chronic persistence/latency/inflammation
• Permanent anatomical damage/change
• Age-specific postnatal immune factors
• Immunological memory

Question 7

Describe some symptoms experienced in an exacerbation

Answer 7

Increased wheeze

Narrow airways

Mucus production