Microbiome and Asthma: What Have Experimental Models Already Taught Us?

J Immunol Res. 2015:2015:614758. doi: 10.1155/2015/614758. Epub 2015 Jul 22.

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that imposes a substantial burden on patients, their families, and the community. Although many aspects of the pathogenesis of classical allergic asthma are well known by the scientific community, other points are not yet understood. Experimental asthma models, particularly murine models, have been used for over 100 years in order to better understand the immunopathology of asthma. It has been shown that human microbiome is an important component in the development of the immune system. Furthermore, the occurrence of many inflammatory diseases is influenced by the presence of microbes. Again, experimental models of asthma have helped researchers to understand the relationship between the microbiome and respiratory inflammation. In this review, we discuss the evolution of murine models of asthma and approach the major studies involving the microbiome and asthma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology
  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microbiota*
  • Research
  • Respiratory Mucosa / microbiology

Substances

  • Allergens