The Role of Pulmonary Macrophages in the Pathogenesis of an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Asthma

我们将研究肺防御细胞，即巨噬细胞，在触发急性重症哮喘炎症中的作用。这项实验工作将使用我们实验室开发的独特的轻度慢性哮喘和疾病急性加重的小鼠模型。我们将研究哮喘反应的激活机制，并评估抑制巨噬细胞功能的药物治疗是否有助于控制类固醇耐药恶化。

We will examine the role of lung defence cells, known as macrophages, in triggering the inflammation of acute severe asthma. The experimental work will use unique mouse models of mild chronic asthma and of an acute exacerbation of the illness, which have been developed in our laboratories. We will study the mechanisms of activation of the asthmatic response and assess whether treatment with drugs that suppress the function of macrophages can help to control steroid-resistant exacerbations.