Airway inflammation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ 2001 - 2003 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Alan James (Principal investigator) ,  Neil Carroll

Brief description In chronic diseases of the airway such as asthma and airway narrowing due to cigarette smoking - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airways show inflammation (increased numbers of cells and their products) and remodelling (increased thickness and scarring) which persist for many years, possibly indefinitely. The exact mechanisms by which inflammation persists in the airway wall in asthma and COPD are unknown. We and others have shown that greater numbers of memory T-lymphocytes (T-cells) are present in the airway wall in asthma and COPD. T-cells orchestrate the processes involved in inflammation. We have hypothesised that the persistence of airway inflammation in asthma and COPD results from the proliferation of memory T-cells within the airway wall. Unlike na ve T-cells, memory T-cells have previously been stimulated and can easily be activated to proliferate and promote inflammation by other cells which are fixed in the airway. Data from our current work examining this process suggests that, although cells fixed in the airway such as fibroblasts and macrophages are activated in asthma and COPD and may activate T-cells, they do not seem to be causing T-cell proliferation. We now wish to extend these studies by determinimg if memory T- lymphocytes are proliferating in the airway wall within aggregations of lymphoid cells which act like lymph nodes and promote T-cell growth. To do this we will compare the number of these aggregations and the types of T-cells they contain in mild and severe cases of asthma and COPD with those in normal subjects. This work will provide new knowledge to help understand the mechanisms for the persistance of airway inflammation in asthma and COPD and may thereby also provide a focus for effective treatments of these condition.

Funding Amount $AUD 390,509.18

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant