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Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 2/2010

01-03-2010

Dangerous Allergens: Why Some Allergens are Bad Actors

Authors: Steve N. Georas, Fariba Rezaee, Laurie Lerner, Lisa Beck

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 2/2010

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Abstract

Immune responses can be compartmentalized into innate versus adaptive components. This relatively recent dichotomy positioned the innate immune system at the interface between the host and the external environment and provided a new conceptual framework with which to view allergic diseases, including asthma. Airway epithelial cells and dendritic cells are key components of the innate immune system in the nose and lung and are now known to be intimately involved in allergen recognition and in modulating allergic immune responses. Here we review current thinking about how these two key cell types sense and respond to inhaled allergens, and emphasize how an understanding of “allergic innate immunity” can translate into new thinking about mechanisms of allergen sensitization and potentially lead to new therapeutic targets.
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Metadata
Title
Dangerous Allergens: Why Some Allergens are Bad Actors
Authors
Steve N. Georas
Fariba Rezaee
Laurie Lerner
Lisa Beck
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-010-0090-6

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