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Researchers identify protein responsible for post-viral asthma in young children.

Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have linked a specific protein to the development of post-viral infection asthma, which is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy designed to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children.

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that affects more than 300 million people worldwide. It is the number one illness leading to school absences in children, and accounts for more than 1.8 million emergency room visits annually. There is no cure; all current therapies focus on providing symptomatic relief and reducing the number and severity of attacks.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which asthma develops and establishes itself as a chronic disease is key to elucidating alternative and potentially curative therapies state the team.  The researchers previously found evidence linking a human chemokine (protein) called CCL28 to the development of chronic asthma. This study is the first, however, that examines structural analysis and its impact on disease development.

The team found that even in the absence of a viral infection, CCL28 can play a role in the induction of asthma pathology, when the protein is natively folded. If unfolded, it does not.  The group propose that by exploiting the unique structural features of CCL28, potent and specific CCL28 inhibitors may be developed. This work is the first step in generating a novel type of asthma therapy that may have the power to prevent development of post-viral asthma in young children.

Source:  The Medical College of Wisconsin 

These two 3D CT volume rendered images show the vast distribution of the bronchial-pulmonary airway. The image on the left shows the bronchial pathways in relation to the whole lungs, and on the right the lungs are diminished to amplify the bronchial tree. Notice the distribution of the airways closely follows the vascular distribution of the lungs.  All Site Content ©2004-2015 CE Essentials, LLC; All Rights Reserved.
These two 3D CT volume rendered images show the vast distribution of the bronchial-pulmonary airway. The image on the left shows the bronchial pathways in relation to the whole lungs, and on the right the lungs are diminished to amplify the bronchial tree. Notice the distribution of the airways closely follows the vascular distribution of the lungs. All Site Content ©2004-2015 CE Essentials, LLC; All Rights Reserved.

Michelle Petersen View All

Michelle is a health industry veteran who taught and worked in the field before training as a science journalist.

Featured by numerous prestigious brands and publishers, she specializes in clinical trial innovation--expertise she gained while working in multiple positions within the private sector, the NHS, and Oxford University.

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