acute inflammatory response in asthma
Last reviewed 01/2018
The acute inflammatory response is characterised by bronchoconstriction and airways oedema. This process begins within minutes of allergen exposure and resolves within hours.
Cross-linking of mast cell-bound IgE by allergen results in degranulation and the release of:
- histamine:
- causes increased blood flow and vascular permeability
- proteases:
- promote tissue degradation
- tissue necrosis factor:
- activates endothelial cells and promotes migration of inflammatory cells
- platelet activating factor and leukotrienes:
- promote smooth muscle contraction and mucus secretion