Project

Novel mouse models of allergic broncho-pulmonary disease as effective drug-testing tools to treat severe noneosinophilic asthma (type 3)

Code
17803410
Duration
01 January 2010 → 01 May 2010
Funding
Regional and community funding: IWT/VLAIO
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Systems biology
Keywords
noneosinophilic asthma
 
Project description

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation and structural modifications. Asthma can be kept well under control in the majority of patients, however, at least at the mild or moderate forms. Otherwise, it is in the worst 10% of patients who develop a serious, often noneosinofiele (= neutrophil) form of asthma. This type is insensitive to current treatments, and is called Insensitive and Severe Asthma (SRA, Severe Asthma Refractory). Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an allergic lung disease that is also characterized by inflammation and neutrophilic steroid resistance. Historically valuable animal models contributed to the current understanding of acute eosinophilic Th2 immune responses in atopic asthma and they were additionally frequently used as testsytemen for new active compounds. In contrast, developed to no validated models today which were noneosinofiele SRA simulate somewhat. HP have been developed animal models and these have contributed to the knowledge of the different types of HP. Results of this research show that repeated antigen exposure in mouse models of HP resulted in a hybrid HP / SRA disease. Such hybrid models could potentially effectiee test systems for exploring experimental treatments noneosinofiele SRA. Accordingly, the objectives of this project are twofold. Firstly, it will, after optimization of the protocol but also after extensive characterization of the model, this new model will be validated as a test system for new chemical compounds. This model can also be used to detect previously unknown pathogenic mechanisms. Second, this model will be used as the basis of a patent application.